Santa Clara County sheriff touts minimal Taser use but pushes to arm more deputies

DEPUTIES WITH THE Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office are reporting minimal Taser usage in jails — arguing they’ve helped curb violent incidents. But watchdogs aren’t convinced amid a push to arm the whole custody bureau.

Deputies used Tasers just nine times out of 252 incidents where correctional officers needed to use weapons or brute force on incarcerated people, according to a report from Sheriff Bob Jonsen’s office. The department is in the midst of a Taser pilot phase — the results of which could decide whether to arm a swath of more deputies. Correctional officers fired Tasers at people seven times in the Main Jail and two times in Elmwood Correctional Facility, according to the report. Over that same time period, deputies brandished or displayed their Tasers 60 times.