Should tasers be a tool used by police?

Shane · June 24th, 2006, 11:59 AM

Whats your opinion and why?

Dback Jon · June 24th, 2006, 12:48 PM

How about a "Yes - when used by properly trained police officers" option?

KloD · June 24th, 2006, 01:08 PM

I don't know enough about them. I do know that I want our officers safe and any tool they can use to limit a violent confrontation can be good. It really comes down to decision making. A well trained officer will know when a taser or even his/her gun is necessary. Here in Portland we've had some very controversial shootings of unarmed people and perhaps if a taser were used instead, a better outcome would have followed.

SirStefan32 · June 24th, 2006, 01:52 PM

Anything that helps police officers do their job.

LoyaltyisaCurse · June 24th, 2006, 02:04 PM

They are a great tool in the right hands... Now if its some local security guard at a conveneince store or at SDS, they are dangerous power trip weapons...

Jersey Girl · June 24th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KloD

Here in Portland we've had some very controversial shootings of unarmed people and perhaps if a taser were used instead, a better outcome would have followed.

We've had the same kind of thing happen here in the Philly/South Jersey area. Tasers might have made a difference, but I think people using their brains might have been even more helpful. I mean, don't be stupid. If an officer says freeze or put your hands up or whatever, then do it, damn it. Don't reach for your cell phone or your wallet or anything else that might make an officer think you are reaching for a gun. Be smart.

Sorry. My uncle/godfather was an NJ State Trooper for years and they get and have gotten a bad rap over the years. Perhaps I am biased, but I really don't give a crap.

My opinion is whatever the officers think is good is good for me.

40yearfan · June 24th, 2006, 06:50 PM

Absolutely!!!!!!

KloD · June 24th, 2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Girl Cards Fan

We've had the same kind of thing happen here in the Philly/South Jersey area. Tasers might have made a difference, but I think people using their brains might have been even more helpful. I mean, don't be stupid. If an officer says freeze or put your hands up or whatever, then do it, damn it. Don't reach for your cell phone or your wallet or anything else that might make an officer think you are reaching for a gun. Be smart.

Sorry. My uncle/godfather was an NJ State Trooper for years and they get and have gotten a bad rap over the years. Perhaps I am biased, but I really don't give a crap.

My opinion is whatever the officers think is good is good for me.

Ours were much more questionable. They had several witnesses, not just friends of the victims. They were in broad daylight and many people said what happened was not the version given by the officer. All of course were found not guilty, but still the doubt remains. Our police force is trying to clean their image...been through so many chiefs the past few years.

Jersey Girl · June 24th, 2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KloD

Ours were much more questionable. They had several witnesses, not just friends of the victims. They were in broad daylight and many people said what happened was not the version given by the officer. All of course were found not guilty, but still the doubt remains. Our police force is trying to clean their image...been through so many chiefs the past few years.

There's ALWAYS question here. It's the NJSP. There was even an article about two years back in Sports Illustrated about the basketball players in the van on the NJ turnpike who DIDN'T STOP for the NJSP. (Why didn't I cancel my subscription then?) Um, you don't stop when you get told to stop, then, yes, you have problems. Black? White? Hispanic? Who cares? Pull over when told; or, if you don't feel comfortable pulling over, put on your hazards and drive to the nearest police station or well-lit area.

I know a lot of NJ state troopers. I know a lot of guys who (now, sadly, gone) risked their lives to take down the mob in Jersey. I know the fear they felt for their families. I have the utmost respect for state troopers and officers in general and I would bet everything I have in my entire life (including my family) that none of them would ever want to kill anyone.

Folster · June 24th, 2006, 09:13 PM

Yes, they are a highly effective non lethal weapon. There have been a few fatal incidents involving them, but most of the fatalities are due to drug complications(meth). They get no sympathy from me. As long as you obey an officers order then you won't get tazed.

Here is a clip of a tazing.

http://www.break.com/index/womantazer.html

PortlandCardFan · June 26th, 2006, 08:31 AM

Yes... even with there flaws they are a less deadly tool. Even though it would be better off with some of the scumbags getting axed!!

Linderbee · June 26th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Sheriff’s deputy mistakes pistol for Taser

Quote:

Man reluctant to leave tree is shot, reportedly says, ‘Ow, that hurt’

BREMERTON, Wash. - A sheriff's deputy who was trying to get a man down from a tree shot and wounded him after mistakenly pulling a gun instead of a Taser, authorities say.
The deputy, a five-year veteran of the force whose name was not released, was placed on leave while Thursday's shooting is investigated.
Deputies carry both a Taser and a gun on their utility belts. The Taser, or stun gun, is similar in shape to the compact .40-caliber gun the deputy carried, sheriff's spokesman Scott Wilson said.

The victim was listed in satisfactory condition.
The man had climbed a fig tree and stayed there for hours, talking to himself. Deputies were unsure whether he was intoxicated or psychotic, and they wanted to get him down before he hurt himself or others, Wilson said.
Deputies and rescue workers tried to coax him down for almost two hours, during which he became increasingly hostile, said David Blakeslee, an employee at an auto repair shop nearby.
Blakeslee said the man climbed down on his own after getting shot.
"He said, `Ow, that hurt. I'm coming down, I'm coming down,'" Blakeslee said.

That's funny to me. I'm glad he's okay, but it adds to the discussion...

edit: can't fix the double quote, darn it!

justAndy · June 27th, 2006, 01:41 PM

Cops have badges, guns, power - do what they say!

Ryanwb · June 27th, 2006, 01:47 PM

After seeing what happened the last 2 seasons at Sun Devil Stadium, I don't agree with tazers as means for crowd control

Shane · June 27th, 2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryanwb

After seeing what happened the last 2 seasons at Sun Devil Stadium, I don't agree with tazers as means for crowd control

Why did it not control the crowd?