Are Tasers Right For Police To Use?

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Posted: 9:23 PM Jul 9, 2008
Last Updated: 9:34 PM Jul 9, 2008
Reporter: Christine Kennedy

13 comments

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The death of a Bertie County man after he was tasered by authorities last week has raised many questions here in Eastern Carolina. Although the investigation into his death continues, the safety of the non-lethal weapon is being scrutinized.

In police video shown to WITN on a training tape by Craven County authorities, a suspect is tasered because he will not comply with several police commands. The officer gave the man numerous chances to surrender, and then disabled him with the taser. Craven County Sheriff's officials say they've had an 80 percent reduction in officer injuries since tasers were introduced. New Bern police currently do not use tasers, but are researching them and strongly considering the possibility.

The Craven County Sheriff's Department started giving tasers to workers in their jail in 2005, and then gradually increased their use throughout the department.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane, NC on Jul 10, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Keep the the taser, the other option is a .357 mag.

Posted by: Missy Location: NC on Jul 10, 2008 at 03:17 PM
My son is a state trooper who just received his taser gun. He had to go through school AND also had to be tased before he was allowed to have the taser. So yes he knows what it feels like. When people are using drugs, they have excessive strenght and are very hard to control. They are not putting their hands behind their back for cuffs. You need to protect the people trying to protect you and not worry about the criminals rights.

Posted by: Wilson Location: Tarboro, NC on Jul 10, 2008 at 09:20 AM
There is no doubt that Tasers should be used in law enforcement. After the Rodney King incident, which I agree was excessive, the PR 24 (striking baton)came under much debate. So we now have a tool that allows the officer the ability to get a individual under control without striking them or having to put his hands on them until the situation is under control. Any time you can reduce actual contact you reduce the chances of injuries to the individual as well as the officer. For those of you that have never had to detain or arrest a person that was unrulely or resisting you have no idea how effective the taser really is. I my self have been tased 3 times in training and have received no injuries, it is a safe and very effective tool for law enforcement.

Posted by: Police Location: Pitt on Jul 10, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Ok guys, heres my take. I am in law enforcement and have tased lots of people. I have never done this when it wasnt totally necessary. I will tell you that the taser has kept me from having to shoot one lady (armed with a knife), and has saved my life one day with a very dangerous unarmed man (whom I would have had to shoot). I have been tased numerous times and I can assure you that the taser is not causing the deaths of these individuals. Usually the fighting, drug use, or pre-existing heart conditions cause these deaths. I know this information probably will not convince anyone but this tool is one of the best tools in lawenforcement. It has saved many more lives than it has taken.

Posted by: Tammy Location: Williamston on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:32 AM
I think that the tasers would be good for the police IF and only IF they are used properly. They shouldnt have to use it more than once on one person. Wonder how much force comes out with one swap? Maybe they just need to kinda remake them and make it so not so much force come out; Just enough to make a person surrender so they can be contained. They are still needed, its better than guns in some cases.

Posted by: farrow Location: hyde on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:19 AM
No, personally I think officers could be allowed to just shoot them with the regular gun. Quit protecting the suspect. Our officers need their protection to do their job!

Posted by: mike Location: martin county on Jul 10, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Just imagine how many crooks who hear about this story will comply when ask to lay down or put your hands up the next time! Our law enforcement need these tools to work with. If your gonna be stupid you gotta be tough.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Eastern NC on Jul 10, 2008 at 12:57 AM
I understand that most of the time the officers are using the tasers to protect themselves, but I think that we need to find a solution other than using tasers because you never know what someone's medical history is and depending on their medical history the taser could kill them. Let's find something that will protect our officers and the suspects that they are going after. I feel sure that the officers were protecting themselves in this case, but lets look at what they were going after him for; a family member had him committed. Now, I ask how do you think that you would respond if the officers come to serve the papers on you? I know that he should have obeyed them, but if there is nothing mentally wrong with him then I am sure he was (upset)and if there was something really mentally wrong with him then that would help explain his actions.

Slight edit.

Posted by: Josh Location: Greenville on Jul 10, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Tasers are good, its the criminal that causes the police to use the taser. Tasers have saved many more lives than it has injured people. Tasers are a great tool.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: Greenville on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:54 PM
If not a Taser then I guess everyone would prefer that the police simply shoot those who become combative. A taser is shooting current thru your body... so like other non lethal options there is a small chance that of killing or seriously injuring the person used against. Remember that any electric current can mess up the beating of your heart.

Posted by: Blue Line on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:09 PM
You are exactly right Jack.

Posted by: holley Location: colerain on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I know that sometimes the police has to use their taser,and everyone has question about what happen that day. I hope that the family find out what really happen . My prayers are with the family.

Posted by: Jack Location: Greenville on Jul 9, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Yes, Tasers should be used. I don't know of ANYONE who has been tasered who has been just standing around minding his own business. At some point, we're going to have to demand accountability from criminals.

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