Actually Michael, that’s probably the biggest problem. Cops aren’t using these just in place of lethal force, they’re using it as a coercion tool. Comply or be hit with 5,000 volts of electricity. They’d never use a gun in the same manner. For one, guns are noisy and will most certainly leave a mark. Tasers, however, are relatively silent and are unlikely to leave marks. The potential for abuse is huge. A cop generally wouldn’t beat someone for not being co-operative but they sure don’t seem to have much of a problem tasing them for it.
first off, the Taser is a “Less-Than-Lethal” device, NOT non-lethal. Deputies and officers are trianed that these weapons (and others, like peperbell and beanbag) can potentaly kill.
The article is a bit slanted because it does not exactly say five out of how many total taserings for the month.
Lastly King Taco is a little missinformed. Here in San Diego, officers have to write twice as much paper if they use a Taser than if they use there firearm. Additionaly if tasers are deployed paramedics have to be called so that the barbs can be removed.
With any thing there will be a few abuses (even flashlights!), but don’t blame the device or the officers (for the most part), Blame the training.
Mind you, i’m not a cop. I’m a civilian working in the Sheriff’s civil division. But before you comment, spend a day in their shoes.
I wonder, how do they keep the barbs sterile enough that they don’t spread infection, since they do break the skin? I assume they don’t reuse barbs. Otherwise, it’s a good way to spread hepatitis or HIV.
Comments
5 Comments so far. Leave a comment below.I think I actually found the comments on that page more interesting than the article itself.
But if it weren’t for tasers, officers would just use firearms. Definitely lethal.
Actually Michael, that’s probably the biggest problem. Cops aren’t using these just in place of lethal force, they’re using it as a coercion tool. Comply or be hit with 5,000 volts of electricity. They’d never use a gun in the same manner. For one, guns are noisy and will most certainly leave a mark. Tasers, however, are relatively silent and are unlikely to leave marks. The potential for abuse is huge. A cop generally wouldn’t beat someone for not being co-operative but they sure don’t seem to have much of a problem tasing them for it.
first off, the Taser is a “Less-Than-Lethal” device, NOT non-lethal. Deputies and officers are trianed that these weapons (and others, like peperbell and beanbag) can potentaly kill.
The article is a bit slanted because it does not exactly say five out of how many total taserings for the month.
Lastly King Taco is a little missinformed. Here in San Diego, officers have to write twice as much paper if they use a Taser than if they use there firearm. Additionaly if tasers are deployed paramedics have to be called so that the barbs can be removed.
With any thing there will be a few abuses (even flashlights!), but don’t blame the device or the officers (for the most part), Blame the training.
Mind you, i’m not a cop. I’m a civilian working in the Sheriff’s civil division. But before you comment, spend a day in their shoes.
I wonder, how do they keep the barbs sterile enough that they don’t spread infection, since they do break the skin? I assume they don’t reuse barbs. Otherwise, it’s a good way to spread hepatitis or HIV.