Should Un-Armed people who refuse a Police Officers lawful order be "tased".?

Question

Now don't go reading into this question as any kind of political statement or liberal anti-police hogwash, cause it's neither. If you answer "no" please list alternative methods of force compliance noting that "reasoning and verbal commands" have been used and have failed. Criminals and Police haters and whiners need not answer.Thanks.

Answer 1

Some people are saying "Use only the amount of force that is being used against you."

So...how do officers react to passive resistance? Just sit down next to the moron and wait it out? For the love of Christ, the taser hurts for 5 seconds, and that's only if its actually held on that long. I've hit my self and let others hit with me with it my taser a few times. It really doesn't hurt all that bad.

I could offer the alternative, a baton strike to the arm or leg. Hmmm...Lets see. A broken arm=6 weeks to heal and then theres rehabilitation, or theres a 5 second sting that leaves no permanent damage. The choice is simple.

Yes. Comply with a lawful order or be stung for a few seconds. Easy choice in my book.


Heres the simple; The taser saves lives and permanent disability for criminals (Yes, those that resist are criminals).

Answer 2

Yes. Armed people who refuse lawful orders will be met with higher levels of force, IE; firearms.

The Taser is a tool designed to eliminate injury in both the officer and the arrestee. Officers are allowed by law to use any minimal force necessary to gain compliance. A Taser is non- lethal. As is OC spray, the ASP or baton, bean bag gun, etc.

However, what people do not realize is that after 5 seconds the effects of the Taser are no longer felt. There are exceptions... A gentleman was fleeing and was Tased. He fell down some stairs and suffered several broken bones from the fall. If he would have complied and not have actively resisted in the first place he would have not suffered injuries.

People that say "No" to this probably do not understand the law, the other outcomes, or the offender's attitudes at the time of arrest or prior arrests...

Answer 3

It largely depends on the lawful order. If the order is "place your hands behind your back" then yes, taze away!! If the lawful order is "show me some ID" then no. Tasers are not deadly and in 99% of cases a lot more humane than a nightstick or a boot to the face. The only other method I can think of to force compliance after verbal reasoning has failed would be to use pepper spray, but personally, i'd rather be tasered.

Answer 4

This really can't be answered with the only the information you provided.
Each situation is different.
If it's a 10 year old who is sitting on the ground and won't get up, then no.

If it's a 6'2" 300lb guy who is standing there clenching his fists and saying "come get some", you know the fight will be on as soon as you try to grab him, then yes by all means let the volts flow.

It's a decision the officer has to make based on the situation. This is why departments are picky on who they hire. There aren't rules for every situation. There are rules that guide the officer in his/her duties, and it's the officer that must decide the proper action to take.

Answer 5

First off the person can't really be considered unarmed unless they are naked and like mentioned above if the person is not threatening or violent then it would be assault for the person to be tased. I've been wondering what effects a taser might have on people with common medical conditions such as epilepsy or PTSD. I think the use of tasers on non-threatening and non-violent people is a very bad idea. On an added note, you can always wait out a person who has not presented a threat to the safety of themselves or others.

Answer 6

The rule should be sufficient and equal force therefore if the person is not actually offering violence against you but simply refusing to comply then it would surely be an assault to use more force (Tazer) than necessary. If however the person is resisting strongly then Tazing would seem to be in the interest of both the police officer and the criminal for the safety of both.

I would point out that there is a world of difference between a lawful order and resisting arrest or offering violence. There are lots of orders that do not require arrest even sop the terms need tying down.

Answer 7

Been there. i became given an order via a substantial to do some thing that...nicely...became no longer purely unlawful, yet unethical. I refused mentioned order. What happens is bosses are like each physique else: they do no longer prefer to take duty for their movements and orders. whilst it got here time to stand on the carpet, he DENIED ever giving me the order. wager what? I checklist each little thing! as quickly as I performed the tape for inner Affairs, the seem on his face instructed me that I had him. He "retired" and that they tried to reprimand me for disobeying an order. I instructed them in the event that they did that, then the ACLU could have an absolute field DAY with the tape, which they took, and this could get very messy and extreme priced to them in court docket. I instructed them i did no longer want the tape for the reason that one became a replica. Did they have a leg to stand on? Internally, confident. Lawfully, no longer a brilliant gamble. i did no longer get reprimanded, yet they watched me like a HAWK for the subsequent 2 years until eventually the IAD substantial became promoted.

Answer 8

As an officer...if a lawful order is refused and an arrest is initiated the suspect can either comply or resist further. If the suspect complies with the officer during the arrest...no taser use is required.

Should the suspect continue to refuse/resist...I'd rather use a taser than strike or shoot!

Some alternative methods are pressure point come-alongs and leverage come-alongs, however, you still put yourself in a more compromising position whereas with the taser...there is pain...but no injury (other than ones ego) or death!

Answer 9

If it is a situation other than a social contact or if I am making an arrest then yes, if I have to go hands on with someone you'll either be a pumpkin head or ridin' lightnin' before I do. That is if I have the chance to deploy less lethal options.

Answer 10

Yes, After telling the person to leave or sit, if the person refuses, then the officer should say loudly " if you do not comply, you will be tased." I only wish the officers would apply this to males and females equally...I've seen dozens of women hit, scratch, spit, run and cry and the officer still continues saying "lady, please calm down and put your hands behind your back" geeeezzz, taser her already.