Police technology has evolved immensely since police officers first arrived. This technology has been seen in nearly every aspect of law enforcement and each has had the purpose of increasing police officer efficiency, effectiveness and improving officer safety. Arguably today the most recognizable jump in police technology comes in the form of the Taser. The Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles, called neuromuscular incapacitation [1].
Tasers were introduced to be used by police to subdue fleeing, belligerent, or potentially dangerous subjects in situations in which a more lethal weapon would have otherwise been utilized [1]. With this principle in mind it can be understood how Tasers amount to an effective tool for police officers to gain control over a potentially dangerous situation with civilians. Tasers increase police officer safety by allowing separation between an individual and the officer, as opposed to the use of a baton. Unfortunately as of recently, Tasers have become under much scrutiny by the general public based on reported deaths by Tasers and improper use by police officers.While the Taser has been heralded as “the greatest invention since sliced bread” by some law enforcement officers, others have began to campaign against the use of Tasers by law enforcement. The use of Tasers has indeed become quite controversial following instances of Taser use that have resulted in serious injury and death [1]. One such instance is that of a 20-year-old man who died after being shot with a Taser during a scuffle with a sheriff’s deputy in Maryland [2]. Instances such as this have brought about various campaigns against the Taser, demanding “It’s time to ban the Taser and use something more civilized and humane” [3]. This makes apparent the truth that the use of the Taser is not a non-lethal practice by police officers but rather a potentially lethal use of force. Taser Inc. has since reclassified the Taser as a less-than-lethal force as opposed to non-lethal [4]. Some have argued that police are simply to eager to use the Taser, as opposed to following the proper escalation of force and procedure. In a trial of Taser use with the Green City Police Department, the officer in charge of the trial stated “from what we have seen so far it seems police are too eager to reach for their Taser as opposed to utilizing commands and other tools available when they confront a suspect holding a potential weapon” [5].
To make matters worse, the media plays a huge enemy for the use of Tasers by law enforcement personnel. Seldom to we hear of proper use of Tasers and the vast benefits they yield to the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of our police officers. Instead instances of improper use and deaths are reported on by the media, which is simply adding fuel to the fire which is that of the campaign against Tasers. It’s headlines such as “Cop Tasers 10-year old girl with Mom’s Permission” [3], and “Man is Twice Zapped with Stun Gun at Mother’s Home, Dies” [3] that are seen by the general public, and creating a negative image of Tasers.It is a very probable reality that police officers today are relying too much on the use of the Taser. This however should not call for the ban of Taser use by our law enforcement, for the benefit’s the Taser yields for the criminal justice system are too vast. Instead resources should be focused on proper training of our police officers in the use of Tasers. Especially because police officers are so much in the public eye, an eye which is so quick to criticize and ridicule the actions of our police officers. The proper escalation of force should be enforced within our law enforcement organizations, and the proper practice of Taser use should be closely monitored. It has been true throughout the evolution of police technology, that every new creation creates benefits and drawbacks. While the Taser today is being ridiculed because of it’s drawbacks, I feel the drawbacks are being blown out of proportion by that of the media, and improper use by police officers. The Taser is an immensely beneficial form of technology to be utilized by police officers and not one that should be cast away, but rather one that simply needs to be properly utilized.
WORKS CITED:
[1] "Taser." Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation, INC., Web. 24 Feb 2010.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taser.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taser.
[2] "Man dies after police jolt him with stun gun." CNN. 2007. Cable News Network, Web. 24Feb 2010. .
[4] "TASER." Taser Internation, INC., Web. 24 Feb 2010. http://www.taser.com/pages/default.aspx.
[5] "Police too eager to use taser." Greens. Web. 24 Feb 2010. http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/police-too-eager-use-taser-%20locke.
[Image 3] http://www.humanrights.co.nz/images/catt-logo.gif
