After a spate of fatal shootings in 2005, the Sheriff's Department faced an onslaught of public scrutiny and criticism over its use of deadly force.
Last year was different: There were zero deputy-involved shootings in 2007.
Sheriff's officials say the change is likely the result of a combination of factors, including arming nearly every deputy with a Taser and developing more training on all types of force.
A lot of luck also helps, Undersheriff Bill Gore said....http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080211/news_1m11shoot.htmlslackmaster comments:
A reduction in the number of suspects who are killed is certainly very good. The danger I see is that more widespread use of "less lethal" options like Tasers can lead to a temptation to apply looser standards of when use of such devices is appropriate.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department must be doing something right - Of all the chilling news articles and videos we've seen on YouTube of clear cases of abuse by police officers wielding Tasers, none occured here.
I also wish to point out that the Sheriff's jurisdiction, while it covers a large area and population, does not include the city of San Diego which has its own police department.