when are the police suppose to use a taser on a person i thought that was the last option?

Answer 1

Canadian Copper hits the nail on the head!

As for the comment from "ME"...you cite a story that bears a unique situation. The particular story you cite is based upon an officer and a relative who've had "bad blood" in the family for years to include what some say is a "rogue cop" and the relative who "thumbs his nose at authority."

The officer used OC spray and once turning his back...was killed by the relative. The third party involved...the one you call a "killer" was a witness to the whole event who attempted to arrest the relative who refused to give up his weapon. The witness used the force necessary in a situation where he witnessed the relative kill the officer. OC Spray is not lethal force and for the relative to kill the officer was an excessive use of force.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

The folks that talk about a Continuum of Force are correct. However:

Each Agency has it's own Use of Force policy, and so different Agencies place Tasers at differing levels. There is NO set standard for the entire country.

Many Agencies do put Tasers between verbal commands and hands-on force (i. e. After they tell you to do something and you refuse, but before they grab/hit you for same).

Some agencies put Tasers with chemical agents, or batons.

Tasers are getting lots of attention just now, so policies are changing.

The only way to be sure would be to ask your local Agencies (Police, Sherrif, etc.) and find out.

I would be aware that most places authorize the use of the Taser if you do not follow verbal instructions of arrest.

Answer 3

It's definitely not a last option. Law enforcement agencies have use of force policies. Some agencies may use the taser if the suspect want respond to verbal commands and before they ever place a hand on the suspect. Contrary to what the media and alot of the public believe, the taser is a safe less that lethal option.

Answer 4

The last option is force that is likely to result in serious bodily harm or death (usually firearm).

The taser is used when the suspect is actively resistant or assaultive.

Actively resistant can mean, pulling away, holding arms to sides to stop handcuffing, keeping hands under body etc.

Assaultive can mean, hitting, pushing, kicking and can also mean blading body, clenching fists, holding up fists, verbally telling the officer that you want to fight.

We use a use of force model that outlines the levels of force. I couldn't find a recent one on line but tasers would be in the same place as "aerosol weapons" on the chart below
http://policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/issues/102004/PDFS/Page129_fig2.pdf

Using a taser actually results in fewer injuries to police and the arrested person. I am allowed to punch/kick/baton someone who is assaultive. This will result in some level of injury (to both of us maybe) and the taser has no long lasting effects (no matter what you hear on the news).

I can also punch/elbow/knee someone who is holding their arms tight to their body and refusing to put them behind hi/her back in order to get them to comply. This will may also result in bruises that will hurt for a while. Other than two little punctures from the barbs there are not lasting injuries from tasers.

EDIT:

To "me" below, I clicked on your link and it is a story about a murdered police officer. What does "maze" have to do with it? What is maze????

Answer 5

The clinical escalation of force for police is:

Voice, hands on, and when impractical the stick or tass them.

In the event the subject is violent and threatning, voice, and hands on are out; if the subject is facing the officer the option might be to taser them as the stick can also be used to attack the officer.

In Law enforcement there is no "Last option" as things come at you Fast; the press, the public and Lawyers can have that luxury of sitting back and arm-chairing the event and can say "they should have done this, they should have done that"...

Answer 6

It is actually way down the list a bit. First option shoot you, second hit you with battens, third send in the dog to bite you, forth hit you with pepper or CS spray. All these hurt like hell and have effects that last a while.

Tazers hit you and immobilise you for a very short time and wear off quickly.

The first four options do not necessarily incapacitate a person who may still struggle and be able to use a weapon. In such a struggle both the police and the offender are thus at further risk of harm. The tazer gives enough time to cuff and secure the offender and ensure everyone's safety.

I would suggest that even if someone is in fighting mood with fists and feet the best and safest option for all would be to hit him with a tazer!

Answer 7

Well, compared to "Deadly Force", I think the Taser is a pleasant option.

Maybe you could call it "Intermediate Force" to make you feel better.

Call it the next step after the OC spray, which is extremely unpleasant.

They can taser/spray a person if they are being uncompliant, abusive, resistive or threatening. It is their judgement as to how effective the method chosen will actually work, short of actually shooting someone.

Answer 8

If a person that is believed to be a threat to themselves or others, law enforcement has the right and obligation to use force to stop it.

Obviously there are different measures of force. Tasers as well as pepperspray and several others are considered less than lethal force and can be used at the discretion of the officer. He has an obligation to use the correct and minimal amount of force to accomplish the goal of subduing the suspect.

Answer 9

The last option is to kill you. A taser will not kill you. A taser ranks on the use of force scale with pepper spray.

Answer 10

When the person refuses to cooperate or fights with the police. It is at the desecration of the officer to prevent injury to himself or others. I think the perps are lucky to get tasered rather than shot with a pistol.