BALTIMORE (AP) - An analysis of Taser use in Maryland found that Baltimore police exceeded widely accepted safety limits for use of the stun guns than any other force in the state.
The Baltimore Sun analyzed data on the use of Tasers from 2012 to 2014. It found that Baltimore police used Tasers in nearly all cases with suspects who ignore orders, but otherwise were not deemed a threat.
In Baltimore, most of the suspects who were stunned were black and two thirds occurred in the city's lowest medium income neighborhoods.
The analysis found that in more than 100 incidents, Baltimore officers discharged the weapon for more than 15 seconds - more than any other force. That exceeds the limit for Taser use recommended by the weapon's manufacturer and policing experts.
