The Phoenix Police Department's request for $22 million to upgrade its Taser stun gun arsenal has ignited a debate over law enforcement's approach to weaponry and community relations. This sizable budget request, earmarked for enhanced versions of non-lethal Tasers, lands in the shadow of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) sharp criticism of the department's use of such devices, as detailed in a 126-page report released in June. According to ABC15, the DOJ report pinpointed Phoenix Police's use of Tasers as “unreasonable,” stating officers discharged them with little or no warning when people posed no threat, and rarely attempted de-escalation before firing a Taser.
The upcoming model, the TASER 10, boasts technological advancements, including a warning alert to potentially deter escalation before use. A Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee is expected to recommend this investment to the Phoenix City Council, with the new Taser model aimed at providing officers with less deadly resources at their disposal. Yet the timing of such advancements raises questions, as the Phoenix-based social justice nonprofit Poder in Action weighed in on the issue, arguing against the allocation of funds. Isabel Garcia of Poder in Action criticized the police, saying, “Phoenix police have proven they are incapable of responsibly using the vast array of weapons they already have at their disposal,” in a statement obtained by ABC15. The officer advocacy counters this sentiment, as Darrell Kriplean, the president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, detailed the perceived need for the investment, “Time and distance is our friend in having to deal with someone who is armed with some sort of weapon,” while speaking with AZ Family.
Despite arguments in favor of the upgrade for safety reasons, constitutional law expert Robert McWhirter urges a reframing of the issue toward more comprehensive solutions. He questioned the sole focus on hardware rather than foundational police practices, saying, “What about options of deescalation of force, so you don’t even have to pull the Taser? That is a matter of training that can be done and that is beneficial for everybody,” during an interview with AZ Family. Proponents argue that the new TASER 10, which features 10 cartridges compared to its predecessor's two, might fill gaps in safety and efficacy for both officers and community members alike.
As the city of Phoenix navigates this decision, community stakeholders and advocates remain vigilant, looking for assurances that the new investment will align with broader calls for responsible policing and not sidestep crucial issues like training in de-escalation and due process. The final decision on the Taser budget request is expected to come before the Phoenix City Council on December 18, moving through the internal process until then. Meanwhile, the broader discourse around police reform continues to challenge, how the city allocates its funds toward public safety, and who ultimately benefits from such investments.
