Stun-gun use on mentally ill questioned
From Times Wire Reports
Advocates for the mentally ill are questioning Houston police officers’ use of stun guns on suspects with mental problems, many of whom were unarmed and never charged.
Since officers started carrying Tasers in December 2004, about 130 people known or suspected to be mentally ill were shocked by officers responding to calls, according to a Houston Chronicle investigation.
“The Taser has represented a step backward in how police deal with the mentally ill,” advocate Arlene Kelly said.
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