Taser misuse or proper use?

[Luke73]

What some of you morons fail to realize is... *snip*

Rather than referring to all TB users who disagree with you as morons - perhaps you should go and read Rule #1:

Rule #1: Respect your fellow members
All registered users must address fellow members with the utmost respect at all times. If you do not agree with a fellow member, be courteous in your response. Thomas Jefferson said it best: "When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine".

Because of the limitations of text based communication, the expression of intent can be tricky. One of the most common triggers of rule violations is the misinterpretation of intent behind a post. Use smilies often, and remember, it never hurts to begin a response with "In my opinion"...

If you do not address everyone on the board with respect, be prepared to lose your membership.

....and to think that your title suggests that you're an ex-moderator.

Rules for some, and not others is it?

 

[Luke73]

No, he was ALSO questioning whether he was speeding at all, because on top of everything else, apparently the reduced speed zone hadn't even begun yet...he said quite plainly that they hadn't yet even reached the sign.

So...let's recap: Cop gives the guy an unwarranted speeding ticket, refuses to explain the circumstances surrounding the legal ramifications of signing the ticket when questioned about it, breaks the law by tasering a guy that wasn't even a threat, tasers him without a warning, as required by law, refuses to read the guy his Miranda rights, and then can be heard LYING ABOUT THE SCENARIO on the tape to another officer.

Stellar. This cop's a real winner. Go on...defend him some more.

+1000

 

[69nites]

No, he was ALSO questioning whether he was speeding at all, because on top of everything else, apparently the reduced speed zone hadn't even begun yet...he said quite plainly that they hadn't yet even reached the sign.

So...let's recap: Cop gives the guy an unwarranted speeding ticket, refuses to explain the circumstances surrounding the legal ramifications of signing the ticket when questioned about it, breaks the law by tasering a guy that wasn't even a threat, tasers him without a warning, as required by law, refuses to read the guy his Miranda rights, and then can be heard LYING ABOUT THE SCENARIO on the tape to another officer.

Stellar. This cop's a real winner. Go on...defend him some more.

then complain about that not his (warranted) use of a taser.

you're taking up other issues to try to push an anti-taser agenda.

also trying to get a cop to reverse a ticket in the manner he is is not going to help his situation at all. Everyone on earth knows if you argue over a speeding ticket you're going to lose.

You keep saying "wasn't a threat" but he was yelling at the cop and reached into his pocket. That's gotten more than one person killed...

Also the cop used an awesome way of catching speeders what he did was started speeding himself and waited for someone to follow him then let the person pass him and pulled them over. if you catch up to a cop who is going 10 over you're speeding .

 

[Basshole]

Also the cop used an awesome way of catching speeders what he did was started speeding himself and waited for someone to follow him then let the person pass him and pulled them over. if you catch up to a cop who is going 10 over you're speeding .

How old are you, and/or what planet are you from?

Since when are cops allowed to speed? Are you living in some fantasy world?

They are to drive the speed limit, unless responding to a call.

Awesome? You're a riot.

 

[Basshole]

Nevermind. I looked at your profile. I have underwear older than you.

 

[69nites]

How old are you, and/or what planet are you from?

Since when are cops allowed to speed? Are you living in some fantasy world?

They are to drive the speed limit, unless responding to a call.

Awesome? You're a riot.

who exactly do you expect to give the cop a ticket

my age isn't listed on here but yes I bet you do have underwear older than me. I'm sure they're yet to be washed as well

I'm also sure that my experience with police is far more extensive than yours. Not from anything I know of you personally I just know that not many people come from cop families AND have had as much trouble with the law as I.

 

[brothernewt]

The guy went to his pocket and potentially a weapon. At that point the tazing is completely justified, there's no question. There's no rule or law that states an officer in peril needs to verbally warn a subject of his/her intent to protect themself. That's completely ridiculous.

I did rewatch and realize that most of the issue would likely have been avoided if the officer took a minute to explain that signing wasn't an admission of guilt and that the subject would be arrested if he refused instead of just asking him to step out of the car... but poor communication doesn't equal criminal or abuse.

Basshole - seems like you've automatically taken the civilians side, assuming that he wasn't in fact speeding with out any real evidence or proof just because he said he wasn't. It's certainly reasonable that he was lying to get out of that ticket... who hasn't? It's also reasonable that the speed was posted and he missed it. At least two possibilities that indicate the ticket was warranted.

I'm not at all a cop fan, but I think they deserve the right to protect themselves in sutuations like that. When a non compliant subject reaches for a weapon (or potentially for a weapon) less than lethal force is absolutely a reasonable reaction.

And that guy in the video you posted... yeah, he was an ape and way way outta control. That guy for sure should be gone, he would have killed the noncompliant motorist.

The Utah State Trooper needs a refresher in communication is all.

 

[Jonyak]

when does it get to the point that it becomes a police state?

If you are being unlawfully treated by a police officer should you always just shut up and take it? do you know where that leads a society?

 

[lump]

The man tasered was a friggin idiot.

a cop pulls a taser on you and your response is some smart ass comment and starting to walk away while reaching into your pocket? not exactly the smartest move...

+1. I can't believe anyone in this thread over 16 is actually siding with the driver. Given his behavior, I'd say the tasing was at least 5 years overdue. The wife is lucky she didn't get tased too. Frat Boy and Bridezilla. I bet they're a real pair.

 

[morf]

Yes, the driver is an idiot. Was the cop abusive? Absolutely. First of all, when asked to turn around, the man complied. Tazering him was abusive, especially in front of his wife and kid. Second of all, that man was not read his rights, and if only for that reason, this cop should be kicked off the force. Third of all, the man did not in any way act aggressively, even throughout the discussion, he did not yell, he did not disrespect the cop. Fourth of all, the cop lied on his statement, saying and I quote: "'Turn around put your hands behind your back," the officer continued. "And uh, he was jumping around, making me nervous as hell, he was back here over to here. I'm like 'Nah, we're not playing this game.' Pull out the Taser. Turn around right now, or I Taser you."

You really gotta be an idiot to take the cop's side on this.

If you think this was well deserved and the cop was within his right, please, stop voting now.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

The man clearly saw the officer draw his taser and point it at him. If he didn't know that he was at risk of being tasered based on that, he should probably be required to wear a helmet at all times.

+1 And if he was riding the short bus as he should have been, this never would have happened

You guys are right, the Cop should have brought out the coffee and donuts and sat down by the side of the road with guy instead of tasering him. I'm sure that after a few hours they could have reached an amicable agreement. Peace, love and understanding

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Yes, the driver is an idiot. Was the cop abusive? Absolutely. First of all, when asked to turn around, the man complied. Tazering him was abusive, especially in front of his wife and kid. Second of all, that man was not read his rights, and if only for that reason, this cop should be kicked off the force. Third of all, the man did not in any way act aggressively, even throughout the discussion, he did not yell, he did not disrespect the cop. Fourth of all, the cop lied on his statement, saying and I quote: "'Turn around put your hands behind your back," the officer continued. "And uh, he was jumping around, making me nervous as hell, he was back here over to here. I'm like 'Nah, we're not playing this game.' Pull out the Taser. Turn around right now, or I Taser you."

You really gotta be an idiot to take the cop's side on this.

If you think this was well deserved and the cop was within his right, please, stop voting now.

Morph,

OK, I'm an idiot and I VOTE

Don't you watch the Cop shows?? They read the rights AFTER they are in handcuffs.

 

[brothernewt]

so much name calling in this thread... glad the mod's don't have tazers!

all sides being taken... there is a middle ground here.

The subject was yelling and disrespectful. He did bounce around and behave in a non compliant manner that would make most cops nervous, and when he turned to shield view of the left hand reaching to a pocket, he very much constituted a possible threat to the officers safety.

The officer also missed several opportunities to defuse the situation. Simply spending an extra minute explaining the ramifactions of not signing would have gone a long way. As would have instructing the subject to stand still and keep hands in plain view.

Not a sparkling example of police work or a textbook stop. Also not a sparkling example of citizenship and and reasonable motorist responsibility on the other drivers part.

also of note: the video's been edited. It's not clear what happened during those spots, but I'm sure one occurs when the officer requests cover. It's fairly unusual (at least in the places I've lived) for a city cop to show up as cover for a state cop unless code 3 cover is requested. And the statement made to the cover unit does not constitute lying in his "report". Miranda rights don't have to be read until the scene is secure regardless of what the arrestee demands. I'd bet they were read en route to booking, just after the the youtube video stops.

 

[Vince S.]

First of all, when asked to turn around, the man complied.

He turned around and started walking away while rummaging in his pocket. That alone constitutes enough of a threat to deploy the taser.

Second of all, that man was not read his rights, and if only for that reason, this cop should be kicked off the force.

Generally, police do not need to read the Miranda Rights to the suspect until they are about to be questioned. If the officer doesn't read the suspect his or her rights, then any statements they give will be invalid in court.

 

[morf]

Morph,

OK, I'm an idiot and I VOTE

Don't you watch the Cop shows?? They read the rights AFTER they are in handcuffs.

Actually, I read the law to know it, instead of watching cop shows. I find it much more factual and it tells me that once placed under arrest it is a requirement for a cop to tell you your Miranda rights, which the cop did NOT do after arresting the man, he went to chat with the wife instead.

 

[morf]

He turned around and started walking away while rummaging in his pocket. That alone constitutes enough of a threat to deploy the taser.

Yes, because a man driving an SUV with his wife and baby inside is likely gonna pull out the desert eagle and blow cops to smithereens before proceeding to rob half the country's banks. Get real

Generally, police do not need to read the Miranda Rights to the suspect until they are about to be questioned. If the officer doesn't read the suspect his or her rights, then any statements they give will be invalid in court.

Cops are required by law to read you your rights after the arrest has been made.