Taser use in Wauconda

Routine review leads to inquiring story

Researching common council agendas in a majority of jurisdictions led me to generate an original story with high approval from the News Editor.

When I sat at my desk paging through agendas in North Chicago, Lake Forest, Waukegan, Antioch, etc. - one city stood out to me - Wauconda.

At the top of the agenda was an approval to fund and eventually utilize tasers in the Wauconda Police force.

A story was born when I printed out the agenda and showed it to the news editor and he instantly said:

"We got a story, want to do a story on tasers, Arndt?"

Immediately conducted research by contacting all law enforcement agencies in Lake County and gauge opinions on taser use and if they utilize them.

City of Waukegan Police Chief stepped forward and was available for an interview and in the process learned about how Common Council meetings are conducted and items are approved.

Ouch! This could hurt!

By Jason Arndt
jarndt@scn1.com

The Wauconda Police Department could be the latest Lake County law enforcement group to add Tasers to its arsenal.

Including the Lake County Sheriff's Office, there are four law enforcement agencies in the county utilizing Tasers as part of an officer's defense. The other three agencies with Tasers are 

Waukegan, Libertyville and Mundelein.

Despite skepticism among several law enforcement officials, Waukegan is looking to expand its Taser program by purchasing an additional 10 to 15 Tasers to utilize on the streets.

Police Chief William Biang will propose the new additions to the force to the City Council.

"We did a large amount of research on Tasers and it is another tool in addition to pepper spray and rubber bullets," Biang said of the electronic stun guns.Tasers use compressed nitrogen to project two small probes connected to the weapon at subjects and when deployed the person is incapacitated by an electronic impulse which causes the immediate loss of neuromuscular control.

Biang said he has confidence in the plan for Wauconda's efforts in adding Tasers as a defense mechanism.

"Wauconda making the decision to utilize them is no different than Waukegan," Biang said. "Or any other community that decides to put less-lethal alternatives in their hands."In addition, the chief said the Wauconda community likely did extensive research and weighed the positive and negative aspects of Tasers before making a final decision.

"Usually (the board) will follow the chief's recommendations because they know that we are going to do our background and follow through on these things," Biang said. "And ultimately, we are responsible for what we do in our departments, just like the chief of Wauconda for what happens in his department."I think what they are going to do is make a good, educated decision and utilize it professionally," he added.According to Wauconda Village Administrator Dan Quick, the reception of the proposal by Police Chief Tony Jacobson was positive at a recent Village Board session and will be voted on during the board's Nov. 7 meeting. The village will be looking to purchase seven Tasers for a total of $7,500.

Jacobson and the Village Board's Police Committee had discussions regarding the addition of Tasers to assist in apprehending disorderly suspects.

"I think it is an additional tool for our officers to use on patrol when subjects are out of control," Quick said.Lindenhurst Police Chief Jack McKeever is one of several agencies not utilizing Tasers due to incomplete research of the defense weapon.

"We don't use that particular item because we are looking for clear research on the safety of it," McKeever said.The chief mentioned the Taser companies have been the only company conducting research on the electromagnetic tool and is looking for an objective observation on the safety of it before deciding whether to go forward with the plan.

McKeever was in Boston for a National Convention of Police Chiefs and networked with other police chiefs about the use of Tasers in their jurisdictions.According to McKeever, he heard reports from colleagues on fatalities and will use a "wait-and-see" approach in adding the tool to the Lindenhurst force.

The potential for new Tasers in Waukegan will cost $1,200 for each, with new equipment added such as a camera to use as evidence.

Biang said the Taser is useful because it ensures the safety of officers and is a less-lethal force to use on offenders when attempting to apprehend them.

"We study the periodicals, we study what is going on in the industry in the field of law enforcement and we are aware of all the so-called negative information," Biang said.According to various sources, there have been more than 300 fatalities after the use of Tasers on suspects in the United States.

"We have heard of people dying after the use of the Taser, but we have not heard of anyone dying (as a direct cause) of the Taser," Biang said.Biang noted a past situation within the Waukegan Police Department in which a suspect died after being tased by officers, but the coroner's office confirmed it was due to an overdose of drugs.

"It shouldn't be identified as something we use to injure anybody," Biang said. "What we use it for is to protect our officers, community and ultimately the offender we are bringing into custody."