PO-PO, to taser or not to taser [FP]
The Forest Park Police Department has begun to use tasers liberally. Tasers are electric stun guns that claim to have exceedingly low risk of serious injury.
The pro-taser argument is that they do less damage than other means of restraining suspects.
However, the Forest Park PD has used the taser on at least one person who wasn't the suspect they were looking for. My concern is that the Forest Park PD is so gung ho on tasers that they are contributing to situations escalating to the point of needing a taser when a calmer, more professional approach would make it so no physical force was needed at all.
The cops can be rude and antagonistic with the homeless and others on the margins of society because the cops know they can use the taser. Some of these encounters could be dealt with by verbal persuasion, but the cops now create a tone for the encounter that's going to lead to the citizen being tasered because it's safe.
The pro-taser argument is that they do less damage than other means of restraining suspects.
However, the Forest Park PD has used the taser on at least one person who wasn't the suspect they were looking for. My concern is that the Forest Park PD is so gung ho on tasers that they are contributing to situations escalating to the point of needing a taser when a calmer, more professional approach would make it so no physical force was needed at all.
The cops can be rude and antagonistic with the homeless and others on the margins of society because the cops know they can use the taser. Some of these encounters could be dealt with by verbal persuasion, but the cops now create a tone for the encounter that's going to lead to the citizen being tasered because it's safe.
posted by Carl Nyberg at
10:52 AM
7 Comments:
Bitch, moan...first you complain that police are physically abusive, going too far putting their hands on people. Then they use an alternative means of submission...it's never gonna be good enough for ya, is it Carl? Tasers have been proven to SAVE LIVES when police have used this option when they could've shot someone. And don't believe the hype of tasers supposedly killing people. Not one of those cases has been independently proven. People have died because of a combination of factors, most often involving drug use. By the way, the case you're referring to, Carl, the person who got tased matched a description, he chose to fight with police for reasons known only to himself when they tried to talk to him. It doesn't matter he wasn't who the police were looking for. He decided to fight with the police.
Man, I'd love to see you in a police uniform sometime Carl. Show everone how it's supposed to be done. That'd be fun to see.
I will concede, Provisoguru, sometimes the art of verbal persuasion or other means of control can be lost if police depend too heavily on this new toy.
By
Anonymous, at 10:57 PM, July 28, 2006
Upset retire police officer said,
I guess since liberals like you do not want police officers to have the means to enforce the law maybe the should just let the town run while or maybe have liberals like you tell rapist, robbers, murders to please stop such rude behavior.
People like you make me sick, because you are the first ones to complain when an arrest has not been made and then complain as to how the suspect was apprehended.
By
Anonymous, at 10:20 AM, July 29, 2006
I bet if the Forest Park police could be sent to Maywood, you would see a drop in crimes in that town!
Policeman continue the good work and taser everyone who needs tasering!
By
Anonymous, at 11:41 AM, July 29, 2006
Here, the bottom line and let's face it, tasers are a proven tactic of subduing hostile violators of the law. Yes police officers must use discretion, however in the end if in thier judgement they need to choose between taser and physical contact I say use the taser opposed to injuring the cop.
This is one of the best tools available to law enforcement in a long time. It has been proven to reduce injuries to cops and criminals alike. Everybody wins.
Which would you like taser or billy club?
By
Anonymous, at 11:51 AM, July 29, 2006
send fppo to maywood should move to forest park if you like so much. There is a reason these officers do not work in Maywood and it is because they do not like dealing with people like you.
By
Anonymous, at 4:51 PM, July 31, 2006
Honestly,
I believe a State Law limiting the amount of taser shots that can be given by a police officer should be implemented immediately.
Tasers are effective, so why the need to use it over and over again unless to prove a point that it is a torture device, in some officers hands.
By
Anonymous, at 8:46 AM, August 02, 2006
www.taser.com This website will give you all the information you need. All you cry babies out there piss me off!!! In my opinion the taser is not used enough!
By
Anonymous, at 2:54 PM, February 06, 2007
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