Do you think Cops abuse thier ability to use taser guns, why or why not?

Question

To me it seems like a lot of cops are using taser guns when they don't have to. If the person is in handcuffs, I believe their is no reason to taze them.

Ok, I agree, that some people can still get aggressive while in handcuffs.

But, how do u explain the cop tazing someone mulitple times, when they are "already" down, and then they have to call one of us an "EMT" on the scene. Sometimes these people have heart attacks from the tazer. I can just imagine what America will be like if they keep employing cops with the attitudes that most of you people have.

I don't believe in tazing someone if they are already down and not being aggressive, I think "some" cops wanna show what they can do. In Chicago there has been a large increase of "dirty cops", However, I am pleased when I meet a "real cop", some one who is there to serve and protect, and not join in on the "crime"

Ps. They need to come out with something different. Its not a good idea to taze someone with an elevated heart rate (example:running). I know cops use it so they can stip running, and I know that some of these people are very bad people and need to be stopped and arrested, but I just think they need to invent something new that can stop people but not mess with their heart. I have seen teens and people in their 20s die from a tazer sting and it is said that people in their 20s should have a "better heart". I have seen females beaten like they are men by cops, and tazerd to the point of vomiting and convulsions. So don't tell me that I am wrong to think that cops should not abuse their authority.

Answer 1

That's why you are not a cop....you don't have a clue.

If the handcuffed perp is violently kicking his legs, how do suggest he is to be brought under control? Would you stick your head in there to grab them? I think not. His handcuffed azz is getting tasered,

Answer 2

The thing you don't realize is how many times police don't use thier tazers. Yes, it makes the news when they do, but they are not "tazer happy" as so many people accuse. Over 90% of police contacts use no use of force at all.

Next, lets look at the alternatives. If the police don't use tazers, the next available weapon would be their baton (nightstick). This almost always results in injury and a trip to the hospital. This adds up to millions of dollars per year.

The tazer does not , and will not cause a heart attack. Yes, it is 50,000 volts, but a static shock from a doorknob is much more than that. What makes the tazer effective is that it causes muscular disruption, preventing your brain from giving signals to your muscles to move. That is why they fall. It does not effect any organs, does not cause heart attacks, and the electricity does not remain in the body. And very few people require medical attention. They may think they do, and for liablity reasons police have to oblige, but it is not necessary except in a few instances when people hurt themselves from falling.

Answer 3

I do not believe that tasers are abused. BUT there is a problem.

A) the actual danger of taser use, and multiple taser use, needs to be better researched.
B) better definition in its use needs to be put in place.

The problem we have is that now some police departments consider it to be an alternative to using a baton. Other departments consider it to be an alternative to using a gun. I dont think its abused because most of the incidents are inside the policy for that department. So the police did not do wrong.

But I am beginning to feel that it should be switched from a baton alternative to a gun alternative. It should be used only when they feel that pulling their gun is imminent, but the person is close enough to use a taser instead. At least until more studies are done.

Answer 4

I'd say it's not all cops who abuse their ability to use taser guns.
Every group is going to have a few bad apples and some times people have to learn the parameters the hard way before they realize what is considered use vs abuse.
They do, however already have another option- it's called a baton or pepper spray.
I think I' d rather be tasered.
I think cops put their life on the line everyday and that we should be more worried about their safety than some criminal that refuses to follow instructions.

Answer 5

I assume you have some reason to say they tasers are being illegally used?

I would 110% disagree that someone in handcuffs shouldn't be tased. Have one of your friends put his hands behind his back and hold onto his pants. They tell him that you are going to control him, and that he should resist with all of his effort. I think once you get kicked in the head you might change your mind.

Do yourself a favor and read some non biased FACTS about tasers. You will see that they are not only non lethal, they are VERY humane tool to control people. I have said it again, I'll say it again I rather be tased then sprayed with OC spray again.

Answer 6

I understand that it seems that police "abuse" the taser. But reality is, the press NEVER say what the officer goes through BEFORE he does. How many newspaper articles do you see where an officer is commended for his job, its only "appears" that the suspect is being abusied. But they NEVER see the officer being abused. Yes, a person with handcuffs on can be quite abusive. So if you tackle him to the ground, he risks serious inury form the fall. If you peper spray the suspect, its all in your car for the rest of the shift as well as for the next person who uses it as well as inflicting serious pain on innocent bystanders. I appreciate how you worded your question. I hope I made sense. Have a great and safe day!

Answer 7

watch more cop shows. You'll see just how much someone in handcuffs can do. People in cuffs have disarmed and killed police officers trying to arrest them. Tasers are certainly much safer then say just blowing the guys head off. If you still feel that way ask a cop to handcuff himself and resist while you try restraining him.

Answer 8

From what I have seen on the latest news releases, I'd have to say NO! The people being tased were clearly out of line & needed to be taught a lesson on how to act when confronted with an authority figure. Apparently, the extra jolt of electricity now has these "victims" talking, rather than screaming, as they were doing BEFORE they were tased! I think most of these people are DRAMA QUEENS who are looking to make a name for themselves & will use & abuse whatever happens to come their way! If you have ever been in jail or in a mental institution, the use of a taser is MILD compared to what could happen to these people next.

Answer 9

we need to minimize police authority and police need to be accountable. i encourage every citizen to step up and let their government know that we need new drafts to make it federal offense to abuse a citizen. we need to create a virtual word just like the paparrazi/media to a capture police abuse. we should not have to take this abuse and the world about. the police have gotten away with abuse of citizens for too many years... they need to be acountable. bad cops need to find an alernative career plan and count on doing time in prison. i encourage every citizen to step up and do their part to change the laws . we need to lobby support from the fbi and department of justice to support more sting operations. CORRUPTION must be stopped.

Answer 10

Yes. They use them too much.

Frankly, I think they enjoy using them. They aren't allowed to beat people with clubs or punch them anymore (video cameras etc.) Justice for 'contempt of cop' must be administrated somehow.