Detroit Considering Stun Guns For Police Officers

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - An 11-member board that has some oversight of the Detroit police department is seeking public opinion on arming officers with stun guns.

Chief James Craig supports the use of Tasers, saying they're a tool that an officer can use instead of deadly force. He's familiar with them after working in Los Angeles and Portland, Maine.

Commission Chair Willie Bell who says the board has no position on the use of tasers yet.

"Years ago ... it was voted down by the commissioner, council, the mayor -- so we wanted to bring this back to the surface," says Bell.

Ricardo Moore, a former officer and a member of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, says he wants to hear from the public. A public forum was held Thursday night.

Detroit won't get stun guns unless the board approves them. Kenneth Reed of a group called the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality says the organization opposes stun guns.

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