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The Redwood City Council on Monday approved a $1.58 million purchase of upgraded Tasers for the Redwood City Police Department, despite pushback during public comment.
The council voted 6-1 in favor of the purchase, with Council member Chris Sturken dissenting.
“If we added this item to the regular agenda, then we could budget time for discussion and for public comment,” Sturken said.
The item had been placed on the consent calendar, which is typically reserved for routine matters and approved with one vote. Sturken, however, pulled it for discussion after more than half a dozen speakers raised concerns during public comment, particularly about how expanded Taser use might disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
According to the staff report, Redwood City police officers have used Tasers since 2018 to help de-escalate dangerous situations without resorting to deadly force. All 96 sworn officers are currently equipped with an Axon Taser X2, a model now considered outdated and no longer supported by the manufacturer, Axon Enterprise Inc.
City staff recommended replacing the older devices with Axon’s latest model, the Taser 10, which features a longer range of up to 45 feet, the ability to fire up to 10 probes without reloading, and built-in warning features such as lights and sound cues that may prevent the need to discharge the device at all, the report says.
Steve Tuttle, a representative from Axon, said one of the most significant upgrades is the inclusion of virtual reality training. The VR system places officers in realistic, high-stress scenarios to build decision-making skills, muscle memory and critical thinking. The training prioritizes de-escalation and force avoidance, rewarding officers for resolving situations without the use of force. Tuttle added that the platform also includes community engagement modules to help officers recognize conditions like PTSD, autism and mental illness.
Police Chief Kristina A. Bell said that without the new agreement, officers would have fewer training opportunities and continued reliance on unsupported, outdated equipment. She added that the VR component would make training more accessible and cost-effective.
Most council members were largely appreciative of these new features and hence supported the upgrades.
“We should give our officers the tools that they need,” Council member Marcela Padilla said.
Council member Diane Howard emphasized the importance of aligning equipment with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office after Tuttle said the sheriff’s office is also adopting the Taser 10.
Public comment, however, reflected strong opposition.
Raymond Goins of Silicon Valley De-Bug urged the council to remove the item from the consent calendar and instead hold a study session on the impact of Tasers. He also criticized the upgrades as wasteful spending that could be put to better use in the city.
“Out of all the law enforcement intermediate weapons, Tasers will be the deadliest,” Goins said.
Nancy Goodban, a Redwood City resident, echoed the need for a study session where the city takes input from outside experts, not just the manufacturer, to inform them about Taser safety.
“The police don’t know if the person has a mental health or medical condition, which contraindicates the use of Tasers,” Goodban said.
Several speakers referenced the deaths of Chinedu Okobi and Ramsey Saad to bring attention to the potential dangers of Tasers. Both men, San Mateo County residents with mental health conditions, died in 2018 after being tased by law enforcement.
Okobi died after officers attempted to stop him for walking in traffic. Saad, who lived in Redwood City and had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, died after being tased during a dispute involving his mother.
During the council meeting, Bell presented use-of-force data from 2011 to 2024 showing that out of 108,915 arrests or citations, force was used in just 0.63% of cases. Of those, Tasers were deployed 156 times. She added that officers also used Taser displays, showing or warning with the device, another 246 times to gain compliance without actually firing.
“Any number of incidents is worth a council discussion,” Sturken said.
He added that placing the item on the consent calendar limited transparency and community input. He asked that the police department’s purchases, reports, and policies be added to the regular agenda going forward.
How many tasers does $1.58 M buy?
John Oliver has a great segment debunking Taser manufacturer safety claims:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yd9nLQx3qQ