Currently as it stands, most police departments have a policy that states that police officers can taser a citizen for just doing nothing wrong but disobeying an order. Critics are mad because more than 200 citizens have died after being tasered by the police. Many citizens want a taser policy that says tasers can only be used in deadly situations.
2006-10-06 10:11:19 · 13 answers · asked by dsasdadsa s 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
No matter what weapons they carry, the real issue here is that police officers should be given regular psychological evaluations as to fitness for duty. The assumption that they are fit to be in the field just because they are veteran officers is bogus. They should be regularly evaluated for the state of their emotional and mental health.
I've served with some fine officers. I've also served with some for whom the only difference between them and the perpetrator was the side of the badge they were on. To many (and that doesn't mean most) are in the business for the wrong reason (busting heads) rather that the duty to protect and to serve.
2006-10-06 10:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by Magic One 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's always going to be cops who do the wrong thing. I don''t have a problem with taser use as long as the police are required to warn the subject first and then use them if they are continually uncompliant.
How many police officers were killed in the line of duty last year? How many of them were killed in a violent manner by a criminal? I think that is a much bigger issue than the exception cases where someone is killed by a taser. People shouldn't be disobeying an order given by an officer. We can't base rules for cops on the idea that some cops are bad and something wrong might happen if they are allowed to use tasers.
Besides, what is the definition of a deadly situation? If it were that bad the cop would be using a real gun. Tasers are meant to prevent the situation from getting that bad.
2006-10-07 04:01:30 · answer #2 · answered by prettyinpunkk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think tasers should be allowed when there is an escalated risk of violence. It should not be used just because people aren't doing as they're asked. For example, that old woman who got tasered for not getting out of her car, that was not an appropriate application of the taser. But during riots and what not, I think a taser is a better option than rubber bullets.
But if there's a deadly situation, a taser should not be used, guns should be. Remember, we're not only looking out for citizen's rights, police officers have a right to safety also.
2006-10-06 17:17:36 · answer #3 · answered by Johnny O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Police have a right and responsibility to protect themselves when they are threatened or have to deal with a combative person. Tasing someone is better than shooting them.
If and when citizens learn to follow police instructions, the police won't have to resort to superior force.
I don't know what you mean by a "deadly situation." The police learn and are trained to use superior force. That is use a night stick if someone has only his hands as weapons. If the perp has a club, bat or other object, use a taser. If the perp has a knife or gun, use a gun and some distance.
2006-10-06 17:18:36 · answer #4 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disobeying an order from an officer is wrong. When you stop doing what they tell you, you become a threat to them, and they must make sure that you are not going to try to run or attack them. Guns are used in deadly situations. Tasers are used to prevent a deadly situation from starting.
2006-10-06 17:13:07 · answer #5 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All firearms should be banned. they are designed for one thing only and that is to kill.
If a massive crook is making a small police officer nervous there should be alternatives to control the big mans behaviour. tear gas or pepper spray type things should be suffice or as ive seen on US television a big net fired at him or bright flashing lights.
It should be near on impossible to buy guns for any purpose. Then police wouldn't face that situation.
And besides, I wouldn't trust coppers to decide when and when not to fire. As that lad previously mentioned a boy gets tasered twice and died.
2006-10-06 18:36:33 · answer #6 · answered by SunGod 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the general public can buy them an use them for protection why can't the cops. People die because they don't relax after being stunned they try to fight back an thats what kills them not the actual shocks I've been tasered many times +40 times in self defense class and the instructors even said don't move after being shot because it makes the pain worse and could kill you.
2006-10-06 17:21:15 · answer #7 · answered by topgunpilot22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way I see it, the choice is shoot the criminal, let him get away or shoot a cop, or taser him. I choose tasers. Cops need all of our support. They make difficult split second decisions and put their lives on the line for us everyday. We need to give our policemen a break, instead of focusing on the very small percentage of "bad" cops, and using that as an excuse to tie the hands of those who protect us.
2006-10-06 17:19:15 · answer #8 · answered by chuck3011 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tasers are far superior to guns for compliance, send 20,000 volts in the little snot nosed brat and he won't be smart mouthing you no more.
So a few die in the process - what do you suggest guns or batons instead?
2006-10-06 17:14:45 · answer #9 · answered by angle_of_deat_69 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think tasers are crap, killed my buddies brother. He was twelve, two tasers at the same time. Stupid asshole cops.
2006-10-06 17:13:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋