Many of us have watched the video...
http://www.youtube.com/...
Many of us have contemplated the problem....
"Over a recent five-year period, at least 148 people have died in the U.S. and Canada after being shocked with Tasers by police. In 2005 alone, there were 77 deaths in incidents involving the use of Tasers. Fifteen of these were in Northern and Central California. In the San Jose area, 3 people have died in such incidents."
from ACLU http://www.aclunc.org/...
Now HERE's the SOLUTION...
As the ACLU and potential local legislatures and law enforment experts know, effective rules to promote proper use of Taser in situations is a difficult matter.
From the ACLU Cited article:
"While the Taser guidelines are a step in the right direction, the new policy still comes up short in many ways:
* The Taser training bulletin is not included in the San Jose Police Department's Duty Manual, the document that clearly states department policies and rules. Though San Jose Police Chief Robert Davis has stated that the training bulletin will be treated as a department policy, the ACLU-NC is concerned that the guidelines may not be enforced because they are not in the manual.
* The guidelines defining appropriate conditions for Taser use are too vague. For example, police officers may use a Taser if a San Jose resident appears to be "tensing." "Tensing" is included in a list of "pre-assaultive," "physically evasive movements" that would justify use of a Taser. But what does "tensing" mean? At the broadest interpretation, the language would allow police officers to use Taser stun guns in ways that could increase the risk of injury or death."
NOW--> as the American Pragmitist... HERE's the BEST legislative SOLUTION.
1) Any Police Officer that discharges a Taser in the linenotwithstanding, whether the use was justified or not justified MUST within 72 hours of the incident...
1.1) Submit to being Tased by another Police Officer in a supervised public forum, or,
1.2) Taser another member of the Police department, as determined at random in a supervised public forum, in accordance with a predetermined method approved by the Union.
1.3) Police Departments may, at their discretion, must opt for a preference of option (1.1) or (1.2).
1.4) Furthermore, in the case of civil lawsuit in which the City of State is sued due to a Police Officer's discharging a Taser in violation of existing rules, then the City or state attorney has the power to offer, in order to reduce damages awarded in a settlement, the Victim the option to PERSONALLY use the Taser against the Police Officer in a supervised public format.
The purpose of this policy is designed to get at the ROOT of the taser pronblem, namely that Cops are increasling acting like sadists. Even if Cops are justified in using the Taser, getting Tased should act as a reminded of the seriousness of the pain. This Policy ensures "the hurts me as much to do this as it hurts you" deterrent against abuse.
For all those out there that suggest that "Police do get tasered as part of their training" my reply is that this policy is one of the key reasons why the taser abuse is rife acrooss the country. The Police got tased, it hurt like hell, so they are just giving a little back.
We must ensure that there is an immediate deterrent to ensure Police are using Tasers only when necessary. Requiring them to put themselves into the position of the Tasee or knowing that they must Taser a fellow cop will immediately restore the balance and Taser abuse will be gone.
BONUS: Cops who do continue to use Tasers when unneccessary will undoubtedly get kicked to the curb by their peers (instead of protected).