When George Floyd died, the police force had a hard time subduing protesters. They were forced to use tear gas and fire rubber bullets toward them. These methods were not well received by many, even those who are not part of the protest.
Reports of it being abused have been increasing, with so many people got seriously injured every time these methods are used for crowd control. Now, local police forces across the country are turning to tech companies for a lesser lethal means of crowd control.
Instead of using the conventional tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets, they are looking into using sound cannons, directed energy weapons, and projectile Kevlar cords.
Read: Autopsy Report: George Floyd May Not Have Died from Asphyxia
Misuse of Crowd Control Devices
According to Amnesty International investigator Brian Castner, the police force have been misusing their usual devices for crowd control like the tear gas, pepper spray, pepper balls, and 40-millimeter impact rounds, during nationwide protests after George Floyd's death.
However, instead of retraining the police force on the proper handling of these devices, they are now looking to "less lethal" weapons than what they have already been using.
One of the options they are considering is the Bola Wrap, which shoots a Kevlar cord that measures up to 8 feet that goes around an individual to subdue them. Theoretically, this will allow the police force to exert less physical effort in restraining a person.
The demo video shows that it is a less-lethal weapon, but it may not be free from misuse. Like any other device, the police force may still misuse the device much like the tear gas and pepper sprays without the proper training.
Moreover, another device they are considering is the sound cannon that emits high-pitched tones reaching up to 150 decibels. The CDC warns that any sound exceeding 8 decibels can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. A 2017 federal ruling said that these devices could be considered excessive force due to the pain and damage it may cause.
They are also looking into other types of directed energy weapons like the lasers used to heat someone's skin. The Active Denial System (ADS) riot control device can fire millimeter waves to heat the water on the skin and incapacitate them.
"The energy beam exposure would have to be sustained and prolonged many times over the duration required to achieve the repel effect," according to the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office's FAQs.
Read Also: Experts Question Police Use of Banned Tear Gas: 'it's Dangerous and Should Be Made Illegal'
Hand Down Military Equipment
Due to the 1033 Program, military equipment is passed down to local law enforcement. The program was first established in 1990, allowing local law enforcement to receive excess military equipment. Most of them are clothing and computers, but it can also include armored vehicles and other equipment.
There were reports these past few years that schools have been receiving Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP). Some of them plan to use it during a school shooting. Meanwhile, in 2018, Los Angeles wanted to use ADS as a means of riot control on its prisoners.
Citizens worry that a shift of crowd control devices may not be the best way to solve abuse and misuse of crowd control devices.
Read More: Police Force Responds to Protesters Using Rubber Bullets That Can Disable, Disfigure and Even Kill
