Even though I joke about wanting a taser for some of the people walking around the big onion, I can’t say that I would actually want to use one…well, not to excess.
While cruising around some news outlets, I came across the story of a woman in Warren, OH who while in police custody and most certainly drunk and disorderly was ‘tased’ at least seven times.
Isn’t it bad enough we give cops sidearms? That’s scary enough, but the addition of a taser, a potentially lethal weapon makes it terrifying. Seven times? Are you kidding me?
As a former EMT and bouncer, I’ve had to deal with my share of drunk and uncooperative folks. I’ve even wanted to take my maglite and crack a couple of them upside the head in order to treat them, but I’ve had the presence of mind to take a deep breath and handle the situation.
There are ways to subdue people safely. Yep, there really are and you don’t have to be Jackie Chan to do it.
Tasers are useful to administer a nano second of shock as a wake up call. “Do I have your attention?” It’s aversion therapy, really.
Right? It’s not a toy. It’s not to be used indiscriminately, is it? Are the law doggies this ignorant? Aren’t they trained on this stuff? I’m sure they don’t hand rookies service revolvers and say, “Hey, you’ll figure it out. Good luck!”. So, why did this officer go overboard? Had he worked himself up into a lather because he couldn’t restrain a drunk woman?
Was he just overwhelmed? Or was he simply a man with a taser just itching to use it?
Hmmm. He’s on administrative leave until further investigation. Chances are, they’ll find no wrong doing. We see it all the time.
I’m not anti-law enforcement. I have relatives who are sheriffs and work for the gubmint. I AM anti-abuse of position or power. I think that the woman should be able to use the taser on him.
Seven times. Two times whilst he is handcuffed. Metal is a great conductor, ain’t it?
Seems fair to me.