Recently we had a debate in this thread about whether or not police taser use was justified.
Many people, including myself, felt that the police were too quick to use the Taser in the situation presented in the OP, and perhaps too quick in general to rely on it.
Many felt that the Taser use was an appropriate use of force for the police to gain (some say “take”) control of a potentially dangerous situation, both in the situation described in the OP of that thread, and in general.
We now have this, from Jackson Hole, WY: (my thanks to Phnord Prephect for posting this in his thread in MPSIMS)
I don’t feel that in this instance, the use of a taser justified. What say you all?
More about general taser use and policy:
Towards the end of our first debate, Magiver made the statement:
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Here are other examples of what some may consider inappropriate use of a Taser.
Woman claims excessive force in Taser use
Schools restrict use of Tasers
Police chief questions Taser use on suspected bomber
Panel Says Taser Use on Teen Library Patron Justified
Police Taser Disabled Teen at Traffic Stop
Police used Taser on pregnant driver
It is my feeling that police are now, and in the future will be, less and less likely to seek any other resolution than to simply taser a subject into helplessness, unless stricter guidelines and restrictions on the use of a taser are made now, since officers in the field have already begun to set their own precedents. It is my position that a taser should be a last resort, used before a bullet but not before, or in place of, taking someone into custody through simple physical means (grabbing an arm, placing handcuffs on a subject, etc).
I’m asking for others’ views, then, on when it is appropriate to use this instrument and this level of force.
I would also ask: are we placing the right tools in the right hands, or are we simply giving police a way to harm a subject which will leave little or no evidence of pain, suffering, and injury?