tazering, deserved or not?

[shmike]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

OK, I see the problem. ANY traffic stop is potentially a felony traffic stop and police have to treat it that way, or they go home in a body bag.

Guy gets out of car and stays out, when told to get back in. Guy approaches cop while ignoring more orders to stop, and return to his vehicle. Before the advent of Tasers we'd have been wondering if this was a good SHOOTING instead.

We almost did.

The cop in question had his gun drawn. He mentioned it @ the 30 second mark, iirc. He did not taser the guy. The suspect asked multiple times if the cop was going to shoot him.

The guy was tasered by the back up officers that arrived.

He was obviously not enough of a threat to shoot. He had three minutes to pull the trigger and didnt.

[Papa_Complex]

Then if he'd have begun to approach within arms' length, he'd have been shot. A lone officer isn't going to trust in a Taser.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Then if he'd have begun to approach within arms' length, he'd have been shot. A lone officer isn't going to trust in a Taser.

When did Police Officers begin using deadly force against unarmed drunks? I don't recall this being the norm...in fact, I believe that is exactly what non-lethal force is for. Fists, Billy clubs, pepper spray and yes even tasers. A firearm is not a police officer's first line of defense, it is their last.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

When did Police Officers begin using deadly force against unarmed drunks? I don't recall this being the norm...in fact, I believe that is exactly what non-lethal force is for. Fists, Billy clubs, pepper spray and yes even tasers. A firearm is not a police officer's first line of defense, it is their last.

When were police given the hardware to read minds and X-Ray bodies from 30 feet away?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

When did Police Officers begin using deadly force against unarmed drunks? I don't recall this being the norm...in fact, I believe that is exactly what non-lethal force is for. Fists, Billy clubs, pepper spray and yes even tasers. A firearm is not a police officer's first line of defense, it is their last.

How do you KNOW he is unarmed? You don't. As a cop you HAVE to assume EVERYONE is packing heat until otherwise known.

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

When did Police Officers begin using deadly force against unarmed drunks? I don't recall this being the norm...in fact, I believe that is exactly what non-lethal force is for. Fists, Billy clubs, pepper spray and yes even tasers. A firearm is not a police officer's first line of defense, it is their last.

Cops were also given partners to rely on in situations where physcial conflict is unavoidable.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Rider

How do you KNOW he is unarmed? You don't. As a cop you HAVE to assume EVERYONE is packing heat until otherwise known.

Of course you don't, and you assume he is packing, I agree. But you don't kill him until your own life is actually in danger...not when you assume its in danger, which is more in reference to PC's comment than the actual case at hand.

Its a fine line that requires good judgment in the heat of the moment. Not all people are capable of it, and those people should not be cops.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Cops were also given partners to rely on in situations where physcial conflict is unavoidable.

And when physical conflict is unavoidable Officers should Tase the shit out of someone or kill them if deadly force is truly warranted.

HOWEVER, before they get to that point there needs to be respect, courtesy and common sense. That does not mean to exit your patrol car screaming the same order over and over. Access the situation, respond appropriately.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

Of course you don't, and you assume he is packing, I agree. But you don't kill him until your own life is actually in danger...not when you assume its in danger, which is more in reference to PC's comment than the actual case at hand.

Its a fine line that requires good judgment in the heat of the moment. Not all people are capable of it, and those people should not be cops.

People who are dumb enough to approach someone who has a gun pointed at their centre of mass probably shouldn't DEAL with police.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

People who are dumb enough to approach someone who has a gun pointed at their centre of mass probably shouldn't DEAL with police.

Unfortunately you're talking about a large percentage of the American general public.

Not in any way advocating or defending the man's actions, he's an idiot, its clear for all to see. My point is that Officers certainly have to be held to a much, much higher standard than the public they deal with. In fact, they need a mentality of service and courtesy first, and that was not displayed in this video.