NYCLU Suffolk County Chapter — Suffolk County Chapter Asks SCPD to Reconsider Taser Policies

Suffolk County Chapter Asks SCPD to Reconsider Taser Policies

The Suffolk County chapter has sought to open a dialogue with the Suffolk County Police Department regarding its current use of Tasers and the Department’s intention to equip a large majority of SCPD officers with the potentially deadly weapon. Our letter followed press comments made by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer in which he asserted that Tasers “are used many times without adverse effects.” This statement by Commissioner Dormer came just days after the fourth Taser-related death in Suffolk occurred, taking the life of 43-year-old Coram resident Darryl Bain. The Suffolk Chapter hopes to encourage the Department to take a deeper look at its rules, policies and procedures regarding Taser usage and specifically asks the department to ensure that the proper use of Tasers is adequately detailed in the department’s use of force policy. Click here to read the letter to Police Commissioner Dormer.