Final proof that Tasers can kill?

Question

Innocent polish visitor killed by Canadian Police at airport with Tazer

Is it just me that knew that these are not as harmless as we get told

carswood, you quote"your obviously not a cop" rather astute of you

and those who say he died after he was tazered, well, thats how it and guns work, you don't die before you get shot, the damage is done when the trauma happens you could die later

Answer 1

First of all, he was definitely under the influence of something.
Judging from the sweat that was pouring off him, my initial assessment would be alcohol and a central nervous stimulant.
Second, if you listen to the sound on the film, everyone in that section of the airport felt threatened by him, except for the one woman who tried to communicate in sign language.
Third, no one thinks they are harmless. However, they are not as harmful as a gun, or even a baton.
Finally, what did you expect the police to do. He was picking up furniture and behaving in a threatening manner, he threw his computer, and even after being tased, he resisted arrest. Even the guy filming him said, "He just won't give up."
Were the police just supposed to stand there for hours while the guy acted out?

Answer 2

Can I repeat an answer I've already given to a similar Q. On the face of it a very sad and disturbing incident. I have a great deal of respect and love for all things Canadian, and I would like to see more of the totality of the events ie. right from the landing, arrival, etc. The incident is even more sad when you realise that the victim had come for a new life in Canada and apparently totally legitimately .. although under what process I wonder as he obviously didn't get any points for either English or French language ability. I am surprised that Canadian police didn't employ a 3man restraint tactic, briefly the centre man takes the head bringing gravity lower and the seized person will go down no matter how big he is, officers 2 & 3 take arms either side to restrain and if need be a 4th & 5th officer can add extra restraint. The danger now is that when police are armed with tazars they will feel freer in using them as the label on the tin says its non lethal force. I am also surprised that first aid was not apparently promptly sought when it was clear the man was in danger. I think the best thing for all is a full and prompt investigation and, if the evidence supports it, there must be sanctions applied to the individuals responsible. I have seen the various videos of the incident, the filmer & the police responses. Please do not let one incident, no matter how terrible spoil what is generally a good force and a good country. I think the Q is a legitimate one and those of us in, or interested with, law enforcement must recognise that the western civilised police forces need to carry the public with us. A defensive, we are always right attitude in the long run will be counterproductive. The Q and some of these responses have prompted me to put 'deaths from tasers' into google. Try it. The information is disturbing. Esp watch the video on I fail to see how the officers can justify their actions. In Nov 2006 a US coroner ruled that the death of Ryan Wilson could be attributed to being tasered - he was drug and alcohol free. In Nov 2003 James Borden, a mentally disturbed person died in Indian Jail after being tasered 6 times, apparently for not co-operating in a clothing search ! There is an undisputable large and rising death toll from tasers and I think it stems from the fact that tasers are promoted as being non lethal when the reality is they can be and often are. They should be an instrument of last resort. In my view the only time a taser should be deployed is when it is a substitute for a gun, if you wouldn't pull a gun then you shouldn't use a taser. Whilst it is kind of non police respondents to, mainly, assume the police were/ are always right as a former snr. officer there is no way I would have authorised a taser in the situation, as I've seen it so far. On the scale of public disorder and potential danger the Vancouver video evidence, in my experience, seems very low key and containable by other methods. I have faced far far worse. I can also say from first hand knowledge there is considerable, although not universal, disgust and concern in Canada amongst Canadians about the police actions.

Answer 3

The use of Taser gives the police a less lethal option. The positives for its use far outwiegh the negatives. Would you rather be tasered or shot?

Deaths that have occured from using Taser are generally from secondary injuries, i.e falling and taking a blow to the head.

The overwhelming majority of people that are tasered suffer no ill effects and have recovered soon after the electrical charge has stopped. It is better than bein hit with a steel bar and you are far less likely to be injured.

What were the post motem results?

Rod - In the UK the Taser is most definitely not a compliance tool.

Ian - I would user Taser first. Pepper spray and CS gas often effects officers as much as suspects. Likewise I have seen numerous offenders not affected whatsoever by a face full of gas.

moggle - "TOP ANSWER"

Answer 4

Have you seen the video?
The man is throwing furniture around. He does not behave in a reasonable or normal way, so what should they do?
1. Nothing - not a good option. Someone will get hurt and then sue...
2. Their presence may deter the subject - no that did not work...
3. Punch/kick him. - public think it is mean to hit violent people. He may get broken bones or other injuries.
4. Cs spray - Contaminate the area and effect everyone else. Risk of serious reaction causing burns or, some believe, death...
5. Baton! - break his arms or risk serious injury to him...
6. Set a dog on him. Certain injury, potential of serious injury and risk to others in the airport of bites.
7. Guns - shoot him. What would that do?
8. Taser. 50,000 volts! who cares it is the AMPS that kill not the volts. The direct link between taser and death is weak. He might have had a heart condition, he might have had excited delirium he might have been on drugs, he might lots of stuff.
Taser stops injuries to the public.
Taser stops injury to the Police.
Taser is less lethal than a big man hitting you with a stick.
Taser is for those that fight the Police.
Don't fight the Police and you won't get tasered.

Answer 5

I suppose a bullet would have been a better option would it?

What you have to bear in mind is that the details of this case are only as reported by the, often inaccurate, media. You sir, as I, were not actually there at the incident in order to know the full facts.

I personally would always go for the pepper spray first as there is less chance of any lasting harm. And I know that because I've been sprayed full in the face with it.

If the pepper spray and all other options had failed, I would use the tazer as this would be justified as per section 117 of PACE which allows the use of force to effect an arrest by a Police officer.

Answer 6

Yes, a Taser can be fatal. Yes, Taser has admitted to this fact. The chances of someone dying from being hit by a Taser is actually very, very slim. When police are qualified and instructed to carry and use this piece of equipment, they are taught how it works, the possibilities of what can happen and when/ where you can and can't use it. All departments have policies on what an officer is supposed to do after deployment. The Taser was developed as a "compliance" tool. Since its development, injuries to officers have dropped dramatically. The best thing to do is just do as you're told and you won't get tased. You can argue about it in court later.
For a little advice: if you see that red laser dot on your chest, do everything you're instructed to do. Being hit hurts like hell. All officers that carry one have to be hit by it so they know what it feels like. It's actually safer and more effective than CS or pepper spray.

Answer 7

I would rather be tazered by mistake than shot 7 times in the head like that poor guy in London.

Answer 8

Willing to bet the guy died because he was high or he had poor health.

I have been Tasered six times now (maybe seven). I guess I've lost count. I am still very much alive.

Taser has never been successfully sued for wrongful death. I think they have won something like 54 law suits now. If you look at the stats agencies that have begun to carry the Taser have noticed a decrease in injuries to suspects and officers.

A case study of one is proof of nothing.

Answer 9

Why was the person tazed ?

Literally, thousands of individuals have been tazed since there development. I've been tazed. But given the limited situations where one would apply its use. Given the amount of training an officer receives before he can deploy it. Given an understanding of just how it operates. I can't see how it could possibly be the only factor that results in a persons death.

Answer 10

First of all, this guy died AFTER he was tasered, he was already in handcuffs. Also, he shouldn't have been acting like that if he didn't want to deal with the consequences. He was pounding on windows and throwing chairs and computers. Even if it was the taser, (even though he wasn't being tased at the time ofhis death) do you know what else kills people? People who throw chairs and computers in AIRPORTS. Why do people think that they can act that way and not get punished?

Answer 11

One in 3,000 will suffer serious injury or death from a Taser. This is something the makers of the Taser "forget" to make public. The public would be well served if the maker would make public, or at least tell the police department so they could prepare for immediate medical assistance when they use the Taser.