The Los Angeles Police Department has approved revisions to its stun gun policy following the death of Keenan Anderson and concerns about the use of “less-lethal” force. The Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to rename and revise the policy, now called “use of intermediate force options.” This move was prompted by recent incidents involving “less-lethal control devices” and the need to reevaluate the use of force policy.
Under the revised policy, officers are allowed to use stun guns, batons, beanbag shotguns, 40mm less-lethal launchers, and chemical agents such as pepper spray when there is an immediate threat to their safety or the safety of others. The policy now includes a sentence stating that if the threat is not immediately addressed, there is a risk the incident could escalate to the use of deadly force, giving officers more time to consider other options.
The revisions aim to prevent situations where officers deploy both less-lethal and lethal force simultaneously. In regard to stun guns, the policy now states that officers should not use the drive-stun method unless specific circumstances justify its use. Drive-stun mode is considered a “pain-compliance” technique and is typically used on resisting or assaulting subjects. However, this method is less effective and can lead to the use of additional force.
Rasha Shields, vice president of the commission, supports these policy changes, believing that they will reduce the risk of deadly force if a suspect is armed with a weapon. LAPD Chief Michel Moore also announced plans to purchase stun guns developed by Axon and introduce a pilot program for testing and evaluation. These new devices will not have a drive-stun mode and will shoot single darts, making them easier to aim at targets.
In response to Keenan Anderson’s death, his relatives filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging civil rights violations, assault and battery, false imprisonment, and negligence. Anderson died after being shot with a stun gun multiple times, but an autopsy later determined that his death was caused by an enlarged heart and cocaine use. The family’s lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, with their attorneys planning to request $100 million.
The deaths of Anderson and two other men in confrontations with the LAPD sparked protests, calls for changes in the police response to traffic crashes, and demands for Chief Moore’s removal from office.
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