The Milan City Council is wrestling with whether to make Tasers a permanent fixture for its local police force, and the debate has exposed deep fractures over training standards, human rights safeguards, and the weapon's actual effectiveness. The decision, delayed until the next council session, could reshape law enforcement practices across Italy's financial capital.
Why This Matters
• Six-month trial yielded zero actual deployments — the weapon was never fired, leading critics to label the experiment a limited success in terms of deterrence rather than active use.
• Democratic Party demands a 12-month accountability clock — Commander Gianluca Mirabelli must report on real-world outcomes before the program becomes permanent.
• Training amendments on minority relations rejected — police unions opposed the proposal, and Mirabelli issued a binding negative opinion on specialized courses for ethnic minorities and LGBTQIA+ communities.
A Trial Run That Never Fired a Shot
The Milan Local Police concluded its six-month Taser pilot in January 2026 with a significant distinction: not a single electrical discharge was recorded. Six devices were distributed among 43 trained officers in the mobile patrol unit, alongside four certified instructors, but the weapon's graduated protocol — from visual deterrence to simulated trigger pulls — never escalated to actual deployment.
Michele Albiani, the Democratic Party councillor who chairs the Security Commission, addressed the trial's limited deployment: "Everyone recognizes the trial had limited real-world application in terms of actual deployment." Yet Mayor Giuseppe Sala and Security Assessor Marco Granelli have championed the program, citing the weapon's deterrent effect and arguing that the absence of firings suggests its effectiveness in de-escalating confrontations before they turn violent.
That divergence in interpretation now sits at the heart of a fractious council debate. Ten amendments have been tabled — six from the majority coalition, four from opposition benches — and the fate of the resolution hinges on which version wins support.
The 12-Month Accountability Clause
The Democratic Party's conditional yes revolves around what Albiani calls a "cornerstone amendment": a binding requirement that Commander Mirabelli deliver a comprehensive evaluation to the mayor within 12 months of full deployment. Based on current timelines, this report would be due in 2027. The report must detail usage statistics, health outcomes, and the weapon's measurable impact on officer safety and public order.
"We're saying yes to the Taser, but it's a conditional yes," Albiani explained. "There are unresolved questions, and we need hard data — not assumptions — before we lock this in permanently."
The amendment also ties approval to broader investments in the local police: expanded night-shift coverage, more patrol vehicles on the streets, and enhanced training programs. The Democratic Party sees these measures as non-negotiable guardrails to prevent the Taser from becoming a substitute for proper staffing and tactical restraint.
Training Controversy Exposes Political Fault Lines
Among the majority's proposed amendments, one stands out for the backlash it triggered: mandatory courses for officers on engaging with ethnic minorities and LGBTQIA+ communities. Commander Mirabelli delivered a binding negative technical opinion on the measure, effectively blocking its inclusion in the final text.
Police unions echoed that stance, with several representatives opposing the training requirement. The rejection has inflamed tensions between progressive councillors, who see the courses as essential safeguards against discriminatory use of force, and law enforcement leaders, who view the proposal as unnecessary given existing protocols.
Nationally, Taser training for Italian police forces adheres to strict protocols developed under Law 132/2018, which legalized the weapon for state police, Carabinieri, and the Guardia di Finanza. The curriculum includes theoretical modules, live drills, and rules of engagement that stress verbal de-escalation. Local police forces in cities over 100,000 residents — Milan qualifies — may adopt the device, but only after passing municipal regulations aligned with national guidelines.
International human rights organizations have documented concerns about Taser deployment risks, particularly when used against vulnerable populations. These organizations emphasize that proper training and oversight mechanisms are essential safeguards in any deployment program.
What This Means for Residents
For Milanese residents, the council's decision will determine whether local police officers patrolling neighborhoods, managing protests, or responding to situations carry a weapon classified as a less-lethal alternative. The practical implications are immediate:
• Accountability window: If the Democratic Party's amendment passes, residents will have access to a detailed public report on Taser effectiveness and safety by 2027, offering a data-driven checkpoint before the program becomes permanent.
• Training transparency: The rejection of minority-relations coursework leaves unanswered questions about how officers will navigate encounters with all communities they serve.
• Public participation: Residents can submit written feedback to the Milan City Council through the official municipal website (comune.milano.it) before the next council session. Public sessions are typically held at Palazzo Marino and are open to residents who wish to observe the deliberation process.
How Residents Can Stay Informed
The Milan City Council maintains a public record of all amendments and voting records on its official website. Once the 12-month evaluation report is completed, residents can request copies through the municipality's public information office (Ufficio Relazioni con il Pubblico) or by filing a formal request under Italy's Freedom of Information regulations.
If residents believe a Taser was misused, they can file a formal complaint with the Milan Police Department's Internal Affairs Office or escalate concerns through the city's Difensore Civico (Civic Ombudsman), an independent body tasked with investigating citizen grievances against municipal institutions.
Political Calculus and the Road Ahead
The council vote, postponed to the next session, will test the cohesion of Mayor Sala's coalition. Several majority councillors have voiced reservations, and their support hinges on whether the Democratic Party's amendments — especially the accountability clause — survive negotiations.
Opposition parties have filed their own amendments, some seeking to scrap the program entirely, others pushing for stricter deployment limits. The final text will likely reflect a compromise that balances different perspectives on public safety and civil liberties.
What's certain is that Milan's decision will have implications for how other Italian cities approach similar proposals. Italy's second-largest city is choosing how to implement a weapon that requires careful oversight and accountability mechanisms, and the choice will shape the future of policing in a nation navigating the balance between public safety and civil liberties.
For residents, the stakes are tangible: the decision before the council will determine what tools local police have available and how those tools are monitored. The next council session will determine which path Milan takes.
