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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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KEY TAKEAWAYS |
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Deontae Faison has been in a coma since April 2024 due to police tasing. |
The incident occurred when Faison fled to water after a traffic stop. |
Officers allegedly watched Faison struggle for 40 minutes without intervening. |
Faison’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the police. |
The case highlights systemic issues in police use of force and accountability. |
There are ongoing calls for police reform and better oversight practices. |
The Tragic Tasing of Deontae Faison: A Case of Police Misconduct
In an incident that reignited discussions about police force and racial bias, Deontae Faison, a 35-year-old Black father of two, has remained in a coma since April 2024. The cause? Repeated taser use by an East Bay Regional Park District officer while Faison was in the water at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline park in Oakland, California. This distressing event has devastated his family and revealed major issues in policing practices and officer accountability.
The Incident: A Routine Stop Escalates
A traffic stop for expired tags quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Faison, with a white friend, was approached due to expired tags on their vehicle. Tensions rose when Faison, likely nervous, gave a false name. This action, shaped by years of racial profiling and distrust in law enforcement, set off a series of events that would lead to tragic consequences.
As more officers arrived, tensions continued to rise. In a panic, Faison ran toward the water after an officer drew his weapon. The officer then made a life-changing choice to use his Taser, hitting Faison in the back as he ran. The officer continued to tase Faison even after he entered the water, violating department policies and basic safety practices (CBS News).
Taser-Related Deaths in the United States (2000-2015)
40 Minutes of Agony: A Failure to Intervene
What followed the initial tasing was a grueling 40-minute ordeal. According to the lawsuit, officers stood by and watched as Faison struggled and cried out for help. This shocking lack of response continued until Faison slipped underwater, ending up 10 to 15 feet from the shore (KQED).
The officers’ inaction raises important questions about their training and judgment. The family’s lawsuit alleges that no aid was provided after pulling Faison from the water. About 15 minutes passed before paramedics arrived to give CPR—a delay that likely impacted Faison’s condition (ABC7 News).
Timeline of Events in the Deontae Faison Case
Legal Action: Seeking Justice and Accountability
In response to this tragic event, Faison’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the East Bay Regional Park District, Alameda County, and the involved officers. The suit claims multiple violations of Faison’s constitutional rights and state laws, including excessive force, lack of medical care, and racial discrimination.
The Broader Picture: Systemic Racism and Police Brutality
The incident involving Deontae Faison fits within a broader pattern of police force issues and racial bias in America. Statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics show that Black individuals face force or threats from police more frequently than white individuals during encounters (Bureau of Justice Statistics).
Racial Disparities in Policing (2020)
Understanding Police Misconduct and Excessive Force
Police misconduct occurs when officers break their professional standards, often causing harm. Misconduct can involve excessive force, racial profiling, or ignoring department rules meant to ensure safety. In Faison’s case, tasing him in water violated safety guidelines designed to prevent serious harm or death. Excessive force, a common form of misconduct, refers to using more physical power than necessary, especially when de-escalation methods might resolve the situation peacefully.
Understanding Police Misconduct and Excessive Force
Understanding Racial Profiling

Racial Profiling: Targeting individuals based on race rather than behavior, often leading to unfair treatment.
What is Excessive Force?

Excessive Force: Using more physical power than necessary, especially when less forceful options are possible.
The Role of Taser Policies and Safety Protocols
Police departments establish specific guidelines for using tasers to prevent injuries or death. Tasing someone in water, as in Faison’s case, creates a higher risk of drowning. Police guidelines generally restrict taser use in certain situations, especially near water or when an individual shows signs of distress, to prevent tragic outcomes. These guidelines require officers to consider other options first.
Exploring Accountability and De-escalation in Policing
Effective policing prioritizes accountability, meaning that officers answer for their actions. Many departments use body cameras and civilian review boards to hold officers accountable. However, Faison’s case suggests gaps in accountability where protocols were ignored. Moreover, de-escalation training equips officers to manage intense situations without force, promoting calm responses rather than relying on weapons. Studies show de-escalation training can improve outcomes and reduce force-related incidents (National Center for Biotechnology Information).
Systemic Racism and Policing Disparities
Systemic racism refers to policies and practices in institutions that disproportionately affect certain groups. Black individuals experience force more often during police interactions than white individuals, illustrating a racial disparity within law enforcement. This trend reflects longstanding issues that extend beyond individual prejudices, often influencing policies and practices across law enforcement agencies. Recognizing these disparities is essential in efforts to create fair treatment in policing.
The Role of Taser Policies and Safety Protocols
Police departments establish specific guidelines for using tasers to prevent injuries or death. Tasing someone in water, as in Faison’s case, creates a higher risk of drowning. Police guidelines generally restrict taser use in certain situations, especially near water or when an individual shows signs of distress, to prevent tragic outcomes. These guidelines require officers to consider other options first.
Exploring Accountability and De-escalation in Policing
Effective policing prioritizes accountability, meaning that officers answer for their actions. Many departments use body cameras and civilian review boards to hold officers accountable. However, Faison’s case suggests gaps in accountability where protocols were ignored. Moreover, de-escalation training equips officers to manage intense situations without force, promoting calm responses rather than relying on weapons. Studies show de-escalation training can improve outcomes and reduce force-related incidents (National Center for Biotechnology Information).
Systemic Racism and Policing Disparities
Systemic racism refers to policies and practices in institutions that disproportionately affect certain groups. Black individuals experience force more often during police interactions than white individuals, illustrating a racial disparity within law enforcement. This trend reflects longstanding issues that extend beyond individual prejudices, often influencing policies and practices across law enforcement agencies. Recognizing these disparities is essential in efforts to create fair treatment in policing.
A Call for Change
The case of Deontae Faison shows that work still lies ahead to ensure equal justice and protection under the law for everyone. It is a rallying call for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and communities to unite and bring about necessary changes that will stop such tragedies.
As this case proceeds, we must continue to focus on these issues, push for transparency and accountability, and commit ourselves to creating a fairer and more just society. The lives of Deontae Faison and others who have faced similar situations depend on our dedication to meaningful change.
FAQ
Q: What happened to Deontae Faison?
A: Deontae Faison, a 35-year-old Black father, has been in a coma since April 2024 after being repeatedly tased by an East Bay Regional Park District police officer while he was in the water at a park in Oakland, California.
Q: What led to the tasing incident?
A: The incident escalated from a routine traffic stop for expired tags. Faison, feeling singled out, provided a false name to the officer, which led to panic and him fleeing toward the water after an officer drew his gun.
Q: How long did Faison struggle in the water?
A: Faison struggled for approximately 30 to 40 minutes before officers intervened, during which he went underwater and became unresponsive.
Q: What legal actions are being taken following the incident?
A: Faison’s family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the East Bay Regional Park District and the involved officers, alleging excessive force, failure to provide medical care, and racial discrimination.
Q: What broader issues does this case highlight?
A: This incident underscores systemic racism and police brutality, demonstrating the urgent need for police reform, better training on de-escalation, and addressing racial biases in law enforcement.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.