County "Use of Force Working Group" to Issue its Report Today

For Immediate Release | October 8, 2009

Contacts: David Meieran, 412-216-9821, stoptasers@gmail.com
Naomi Archer, 828-230-1404

COUNTY "USE OF FORCE WORKING GROUP" TO ISSUE ITS REPORT TODAY
Activists Concerned that Report May Deflect Attention from Bigger Problems of Police Violence

Pittsburgh, PA - Today, Thursday, the Allegheny County "Use of Force Working Group" will present its final report at a public meeting at Pittsburgh City Council Chambers. The report is expected to outline the Group's recommendations for use-for-polices for Tasers -- and perhaps other less-lethal weapons -- for the dozens of law-enforcement agencies throughout Allegheny County.

More than a year has passed since three Swissvale Police officers subdued, tasered and killed Andre Thomas, an unarmed 37-year old black man who cried out for help late one night in a residential neighborhood. Thomas' death was the latest in series of reported Taser-abuses and deaths in Allegheny County that sparked protests and cries of racism.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala formed the 10-person working group to study Tasers and use of force policies shortly after he dropped an investigation into Thomas' death, which he claims was the result of "agitated delirium."

However, some civil liberties activists are concerned that Zappala's Group - which consists of police chiefs and attorneys - will produce a report that could exacerbate the problem of police violence.

"Why should we believe that Zappala's 'Use of Force Working Group' is anything but a whitewash?", asks David Meieran from Save Our Civil Liberties, a project of the Thomas Merton Center. "They welcomed Taser sales reps to their very first meeting. They wouldn't listen to Taser experts from Amnesty International, which is calling for a moratorium on Tasers. They refused offers for first-hand testimony from people who were victimized by police Taser abuse. They didn't even think to include a representative from Pittsburgh's own Citizens Police Review Board in their midst."

Save Our Liberties member and less-lethal weapons expert Naomi Archer adds, "Two weeks ago we witnessed an horrific display of excessive force by Pittsburgh and Allegheny County law enforcement agencies on unarmed, nonviolent protesters. Will Zappala takes steps to prevent further harms that result from the influx of new less-lethal weapons into the County, especially on communities that have long struggled with police violence?"

As has been widely reported, the Pittsburgh G-20 Summit was the setting for the first use of the LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) against civilians on U.S. soil. The City and the County purchased at least four LRADs with funds earmarked for security at the Summit. Save Our Civil Liberties is seeking information about what other high-tech weaponry was purchased or deployed, what use of force policies were in place, and who was responsible for giving the order to use them.

Amnesty International reports that the number deaths involving Tasers in the U.S. is exceeds 350.

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