Posts in "taser"

By Rachel Kania at 6:12PM

Dec 30, 2009

Police Force Being Questioned in California

Following an incident in Cornonado, California, where a police officer tased a man not wearing his seatbelt, a federal appeals court is questioning the use of Tasers. When is it appropriate to use the a Taser? Michael Gennaco, who has conducted internal reviews of Taser use for the LAPD, comments on the decision made in the 9th circuit ruling:

This decision talks about the need for an immediate threat. . . . Some departments allow Tasers in cases of passive resistance, such as protesters who won't move," he said. Tasering for "passive resistance is out the door now with this decision. Even resistance by tensing or bracing may not qualify.

Still, there is a need to question the use of Tasers all together. Can we trust the officer to use the Taser "appropriately" and only at a time when the person refuses to comply with the officer's orders? I don't believe so.

I Bet You've Wanted to Do This, but You Have a Heart

In another bright and shining example of people relying on the nanny state to be their nanny: According to an article from TheSmokingGun.com a "mother called police to report that the child was crying, screaming, and refusing to go to bed." So the police rush to the rescue and attempt to subdue the 10-year-old girl and make her listen to her parents. "After [the girl] continued to refuse her mother's instructions, the cop concluded that 'there was not going to be a peaceful resolution of the issue'." So in his infinite wisdom and with permission from the mother, he tases her into submission, slaps on some cuffs and takes her to juvie. Follow the link above to see the actual police report.

I'm not a parent, but I have worked in a grocery store and watched many tantrums take place. I know that dealing with unruly children is always a hassle. I know I've thrown a few temper tantums in my time as a youngster. I'm not even against some type of corporal punishment, a little slap accross the wrists or a spanking might just be the answer. But who in their right mind believes the answer to a childs disobediance is to tase them, let alone asking it be done by the police? Perhaps next time she should take the Abe Simpson approach to parenting and slip her a little NyQuil to get her to sleep. That at least won't involve tax dollars.

Thanks to LRC Blog for this link story.

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