Lone Star Taser - Rethinking Tasers - San Angelo Police Department

Source: San Angelo Live

Check out this article on the need for San Angelo Police Department to rethink Tasers. Based on the article, Representative Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) filed four bills in the Texas House last session concerning Tasers.

One that fared especially well in a hearing called for some sort of reporting mechanism on police Taser deployment so that a database could reveal usage trends. Burnam staffer Doug Lewin says such a database would quantify how often Tasers are deployed, and whether they’ve reduced the incidence of police firearm usage (some Taser proponents argue they do.

Another bill aimed to standardize and mandate Taser training for law enforcement. That one didn’t move beyond the committee level. None of the bills passed by the time the session ended last May. Lewin’s reasoning? Congressmen don’t like to appear soft on crime.

Read the full article HERE

Black Man Tasered in New Orleans, R&B Singer "Tank Tasered" While black

H/T MediaTakeOut.com who exclusively learned that last night in New Orleans, police officers beat, tasered and arrested R&B singer Tank. New Orleans Police Taser R&B Singer Tank!

MediaTakeOut spoke exclusively with Tank's business associate Ira Dewitt, the CEO of Notifi Music Group, who witnessed the entire incident. Ira explained, "We were leaving the NBA All Star Game heading to an afterparty at the House Of Blues ... we were walking in that direction and the cops came and completely blocked us." She continued, "They got all in our face and got really belligerent ... Apparently there was a shooting in the area. "

That's when, according to Ira - all hell broke loose. "Tank was like 'Why are you gonna be like that' and we started walking away. But they grabbed Tank and threw him against the wall. [The cops] bent one of his arms up and the other arm back and asked him to do something. Tank told them that he couldn't and before you knew it there were three cops all over him ... and they tased him."

H/T The MIXX.com and Rhymes With Snitch are reporting on the arrest outside the House of Blues in New Orleans. Stereohyped is also reporting on this story, so is the blog Bossip.

An inside source has told Bossip about a shocking event that took place last night outside of a New Orleans nightclub. The source, a woman, and Tank were leaving the club and walking to meet their driver when they encountered a police roadblock. Apparently, there’d been a shooting. According to the source, the police were very rude in telling the two that they couldn’t walk through the area. Like a gentleman, Tank spoke up for himself and his lady friend, telling the cops they didn’t have to speak to them in the way they did.

The two were walking away from the scene when out of nowwhere 3 cops tackled Tank and began using tasers on him. He was arrested on a number of counts, including disorderly conduct, and just released on bail moments ago. More HERE

St. Paul, Minnesota Taser-Up For Republican National Convention Demonstrators

Let the Tasering begin!

H/T - Minnesota public radio

St. Paul police order tasers for every police officer. They will purchase 370 more tasers just in time for Republican National Convention.

ST. PAUL -- St. Paul police are about to issue Tasers to all 370 officers on the force. Police say they are a safe way to stop a potential threat, but some people say Tasers are dangerous and sometimes deadly. Police spokesman Tom Walsh says the Taser is stronger than a verbal order and less dangerous than a gun, especially in the case of a violent or unstable subject. Currently, 140 St. Paul police officers carry Tasers. The addition of another 230 will bring the total to 37- -- one for every officer on the force.vThe 230 new Tasers will cost $210,000 -- paid for with money seized during drug raids or other special investigations. The St. Paul City Council will vote Wednesday on whether to authorize the purchase of the Tasers, which they are likely to do. Four years ago, St. Paul police unveiled Tasers at a media event and now the Taser is in high demand. But questions about Tasers can’t escape law enforcement.

Scott Selmer, of the Urban League in St. Paul, believes Tasers could cause unnecessary harm if used too soon. “Sensitivity training is critical,” Selmer said. “Have some thought that goes into any encounter (police) may have.” Shortly after the new shipment of Tasers arrives in St. Paul, the Republican National Convention will come to town, and with it, protestors who may or may not get violent. More on St. Paul Police Orders Tasers For Every Officer

Tasers, TaserCams needed says WestPort Police

Westport Police May Purchase 15 Tasers

Well that is what the WestPort Police department will be doing. Westport News reports, after some initial skepticism, Chief of Police Al Fiore told the Board of Finance last week that he supports Tasers in Westport because the town isn't immune to violence.

A $24,000 proposal for 15 Tasers was approved by the board in a 7-0 vote.

"The funds come out of the assets forfeiture fund," said Fiore. "The money in the fund comes from drug seizures and things like that. The Tasers are less lethal than many other alternatives and temporarily render the person involved incapacitated. This is a safety item for police and the public."

The Tasers for Westport's finest will be equipped with audio/visual recording devices that in police circles are called Taser Cams. This device provides a record of what was going on in case police are in a Taser situation, according to police.

Fiore said that Tasers are used to break up fights and making arrests when there is resistance.

Some Taser Uses

Other typical Taser usage includes:

- When the use of deadly force is justified but an opportunity exists to use the Taser.

- When it is unsafe to get within contact range of the subject.

- If it can be used to maintain order during prison disturbances.

- When it is necessary to subdue vicious animals.

- Use

More HERE

15 Year Old Boy Tased By Police in Texas For Running Away

"Our policy says nobody under 11 or over 70 years of age can be tazed." More HERE

Hat Tip: It All Goes HERE for the link

Tasered - A 15-year old student was tasered by law enforcement at Whitesboro High School Monday morning. Police say it happened around 10:45 Monday morning when an officer went to the school to arrest the student on a juvenile authority warrant.

Police say the child was escorted out of the high school where the officer tried to pat him down and handcuff him, but the student broke away and ran. Police say the boy has a long history of bad behavior, and the officer warned the student that he would be tasered, but the boy kept running.

"We couldn't rule out that the juvenile didn't have a weapon. I’m not saying he did or anything like that, but when you have a juvenile flee like that from the police officer, it heightens your sense of security and well being and him refusing to follow instructions, we didn't know if he might turn around and pull a gun." Whitesboro Police Chief Scott Taylor said.

After being tasered, the boy was medically evaluated and then taken to the Juvenile Detention Center. More HERE

Use of Tasers By Police - The Use of Force

Hat Tip: Electronic Village

I have taken the liberty of reposting a great post by Villager, at Electronic Village regarding what is termed the Use of Force Continuum

AAPP
Publisher, Tasered While Black

The Force Continuum

More Force Deadly Force Less Lethal Pepper Spray, Baton, Taser Empty Hand Control Verbal Commands Less Force Officer Presence

The Force Continuum

We have talked about the more frequent use of tasers by police on citizens of all genders, races and ages. Tasers have been used on hearing-impaired and pregnant people in recent months. Many of us feel that the taser is used too quickly. It turns out that the police have a very specific process that they follow. It is called the 'use of force continuum'.

There may be local variations, however, a police test guru indicates that the force continuum is broken down into six broad levels. Each level is designed to be flexible as the need for force changes depending on the situation. The six levels are:

1. Level One * Officer Presence - The mere presence of a police officer in uniform or in a marked police unit is often enough to stop a crime in progress or prevent most situations from escalating. Without saying a word, the mere presence of a police officer can deter crime by the simple use of body language and gestures. At this level gestures should be non-threatening and professional. This "zero" level of force is always the best way to resolve any situation if possible.


2. Level Two * Verbal Commands - Used in combination with a visible presence, the use of the voice can usually achieve the desired results. Whether you instruct a person to, "Stop.", "Don't Move.", "Be quiet.", "Listen to me.", "Let me see your ID.", or, "You're under arrest."-- voice commands in conjunction with your mere presence will almost always resolve the situation. The content of the message is as important as the officer's demeanor. It’s always best to start out calm but firm and non-threatening. The choice of words and intensity can be increased as necessary, or used in short commands in more serious situations. The right combination of words in combination with officer presence can de-escalate a tense situation and prevent the need for a physical altercation. Training and experience improves the ability of a police officer to communicate effectively with everyone she comes in contact with.


3. Level Three * Empty Hand Control - Certain situations will arise where words alone will not reduce the aggression. This is the time police officers will need to get involved physically. This is a level of control employed by police officers minus the aid of equipment or weapons. There are two subcategories called, “soft empty hand techniques” and “hard empty hand techniques.” Soft Empty Hand Techniques: At this level minimal force would involve the use of bare hands to guide, hold, and restrain -- applying pressure points, and take down techniques that have a minimal chance of injury. Hard Empty Hand Techniques: At this level the use of force includes kicks, punches or other striking techniques such as the brachial stun or other strikes to key motor points that have a moderate chance of injury.


4. Level Four * Pepper Spray, Baton, Taser - When the suspect is violent or threatening, more extreme, but non-deadly measures must be used to bring the suspect under control, or affect an arrest. Before moving to this level of force, it is assumed that less physical measures have been tried and deemed inappropriate. Pepper spray results in considerable tearing of the eyes, as well as temporary paralysis of the larynx, which causes subjects to lose their breath. Contact with the face causes a strong burning sensation. Pepper spray, once thought an effective street tool for police officers has lost popularity over the years because of its ineffectiveness, especially on intoxicated persons. The typical baton is a round stick of various lengths, and is made of hardwood, aluminum or plastic composite materials. A blow with a baton can immobilize a combative person, allowing officers to affect an arrest. Common impact weapon used by police today include the PR-24 and collapsible baton. The Taser discharges a high voltage spark (50,000 volts) at very low amperage. The Taser fires two small darts, connected to wires, which drops a suspect at non-contact distance. These devices are easily carried. They are lightweight and affordable. Extensive training is not required, and they may be more effective on persons under the influence of PCP and other drugs who do not respond to chemical irritants. They can be especially useful for controlling non-criminal violent behavior, such as persons who are mentally impaired, or under the influence of mind-altering substances.


5. Level Five * Less Lethal - This is a newer, acceptable and effective level of force that numerous police agencies have added to their use of force continuum policy and procedure. Less-lethal weapons were developed to provide law enforcement, military and corrections personnel with an alternative to lethal force. They were designed to temporarily incapacitate, confuse, delay, or restrain an adversary in a variety of situations. They have been used in riots, prison disturbances, and hostage rescues. Less-lethal weapons are valuable when: Lethal force is not appropriate. Lethal force is justified and available for backup but lesser force may subdue the aggressor. Lethal force is justified but its use could cause collateral effects, such as injury to bystanders or life-threatening damage to property and environment.


6. Level Six * Deadly Force - If a police peace officer has probable cause to believe that a suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others then the use of deadly force is justified (see Tennessee v. Garner). By the very nature of the profession, peace officers may at times be confronted with a potentially lethal threat. In most of these instances, peace officers will have no other option but to discharge their firearm in order to protect their life or, the life of others.

Here is a link to the rest of his post and a great blog by: The Electronic Village

PS: Double Hat Tip and Shout Out to Villager, who was a key motivator for the creation of the blog Tasered While Black.
Hat Tip Police Test

University of Florida police a /new policy on the use of Tasers.

As reported by ABC News

University of Florida police have a new policy on the use of Tasers.

That comes after a September incident in which student Andrew Meyer yelled "Don't Tase me bro!" as he was zapped with a stun gun and arrested after persistently questioning Senator John Kerry at an on-campus event.

The revised policy prohibits using stun guns on a person who is passively resisting or running from police.

But the university says even if the new rules were in place, officers would have been justified in their handling of Meyer. More HERE

Tasers Purchased by Gastonia Police Department

All officers have taken a class on its use, but only 50 carrying the weapon

Charlotte Observer

Fifty of Gastonia's 167 police officers are now carrying Tasers.

Getting stun guns for the department has been a three-year project, which has allowed the department to learn from others' mistakes in their use, Gastonia Police Sgt. Paul Smith said. A grant paid for the Tasers, which cost about $1,000 each, he said. The department would like to eventually buy a Taser for each officer.

A Taser sends electrical impulses that temporarily disrupt the body's central nervous system, causing muscles to go limp.

The Tasers have been split among the department's units, but all officers have taken a class to learn about the Taser even if they aren't carrying one yet, Smith said.

Like any new law enforcement tool, Tasers have created their share of controversy. Smith said the delay in getting Tasers has allowed the department to create a policy that establishes clear guidelines for when a Taser should be used. More HERE

Tasered While Black for coming at police with a "Fly Swatter."

Tasered While Black says: You got to be kidding me! Sounds like excessive force to us. Black folks need to organize to get police departments to have stringent policies around the use of Tasers. Check out this incident and let us know what you think.

Source: sacbee.com

A Woodland man has filed a lawsuit against the Woodland Police Department, accusing officers of unlawfully shooting him multiple times with a Taser during an arrest in November.

Police claim, however, that the Taser shots were justified because Thompson came after one of their officers with a fly swatter after being repeatedly told to stop. Woodland man has filed a lawsuit against the Woodland Police Department, accusing officers of unlawfully shooting him multiple times with a Taser during an arrest in November. More Here

Tedral Thompson claims seven Woodland police officers burst into his home with a search warrant, refused to let his wife put on a blouse – and then stunned him with three Taser guns.

Yolo County court records say only one officer fired a stun gun to protect a colleague, and that it happened as Thompson came at him cursing and carrying a fly swatter.

Thompson has filed a lawsuit in Yolo Superior Court alleging officers used excessive force and falsely arrested him for obstructing an officer as a "cover up." More HERE

"Technorati Favorites Exchange"

his "Technorati Favorites Exchange" aims to get my blog on the top 100 list.

To get there I will need the help of all my readers so please read carefully.

What is the Technorati Experiment?

It is a simple Technorati favorite exchange. I want to see if it’s possible to boost an African American Technorati ranking and yours with this simple approach. Everytime a blog like yours or mine is favorited in Technorati, it’s rank will increase.

How does it work?

It’s very simple. All you have to do is add my blog in your Technorati favorites. Just click on this button.

By clicking it you will add me to your Technorati favorites.

Once you have added me to your favorites please post your blog and your Technorati username in the comments section of this post. I will add all the blogs in the comments to my Technorati favorites and help you to increase your ranking.

Is this useful?

To me it is. Technorati ranking is used to measure a lot of things. To learn more about Technorati rank, you can read this article.

So what are you waiting for? Add me to your Technorati favorites by clicking this button:

Tasered While Black

Woman Tasered "While Crying" In Her Own Car

Tasered While Black says: This incident sounds so suspicious, what do you think? We wonder if she is black? Black or White she was treated like she was black.

Clarissa Carol Simpson faces charges of criminal recklessness, hit and run.

Georgette Senter
The News-Dispatch



MICHIGAN CITY - A woman is facing several charges after running her car into several squad cars in the parking lot of 1st Trust Credit Union on Tuesday afternoon.

Clarissa Carol Simpson, 27, Michigan City, had allegedly been arguing with her husband in the credit union, prompting a call to authorities.

Responding officers found Simpson, 2310 Normandy Drive, Apartment 2A, in the driver's seat of her 1993 Buick Century.

The couple had already left the building and continued arguing in the parking lot. Before police arrived the husband had left. Simpson remained and was uncooperative with police.

Officer Ronald Skibins arrived to find Officers Kevin Urbanczyk and Jillian Ashley trying to get Simpson from her car.

Urbanczyk was at the driver's side window while Ashley was at the passenger side. Simpson would not roll her window down or answer questions from police.

Ashley finally got the woman to provide her driver's license and while the officers were in their squad car, Simpson tried to leave.

After backing her car into Urbanczyk and Ashley's squad car, Simpson then tried to leave the parking lot. Skibins pulled his squad car across the exit to block her attempt to enter U.S. 20 while Urbanczyk pulled up behind, blocking her retreat, according to police reports.

Skibins was unsuccessful in getting Simpson to cooperate, which led to him breaking out the driver's side window of Simpson's car and using his Taser on her. After two Tasers to her upper chest, Simpson was dragged from the car and put face down on the ground.

Skibins reported the woman continued to struggle, and Urbanczyk pulled his Taser and used it. Simpson was Tasered twice more before she could be handcuffed.

La Porte County Emergency Medical Service was at the scene. Simpson was taken to St. Anthony Memorial Health Centers were she was checked for injury but doctors admitted her for observation.

When Simpson is released from the hospital she will be charged with criminal recklessness, hit and run, and resisting law enforcement, all Class A misdemeanors and a Class D felony resisting law enforcement.

More Links to this story

SuperDelegates We Are Watching You

This post has nothing to do with Tasering, but we wanted to let our readers know about what is going on politically in America regarding the Presidential election and black voters. Here we are covering the issue of SuperDelegates. This is cross posted at African American political Pundit.

Black SuperDelegates: If your voting constituency in your district overwhelmingly voted for Barrack Obama, you owe it to your voting constituency to vote for Barack Obama at the National Convention. We know who you endorsed. Have no doubt we are watching you! PS: White and Latino SuperDelegates representing black constituencies should do the same. We know who you are too. You will be held politically accountable for your actions



AAPP: Today I received a comment on my blog by one of my readers, wrote: "Black politicians who have pledged their super delegates to Hillary over Obama amounts to a smack in the face to the black electorates. Black super delegates must vote in accordance with the aspirations of their black electorate which has overwhelming decided that they prefer Obama over Hillary. I for one will not vote for any black elected official who casts their super delegate for Hillary when the overwhelming aspiration in my congressional district is for Obama. Black people across the country should put their black leaders on notice. : Black Super Delegates belong to the people black officials represent. Siddhi Shonibare, whoSiddhi Shonibare's remarks were as timely as the article by Judge Greg Mathis who noted in his recent commentary: As the Candidates Cross the U.S. Seeking Votes, Keep your eyes on the super delegates.

Judge Mathis also noted in BlackAmericaWeb Superdelegates are elected officials -- members of the House, senators and others -- who cast votes at the party conventions. Because of their positions as government leaders, they are not bound by the votes of their constituents; they are free to cast a vote for whomever they choose. If a particular candidate can win their support, they can also win the nomination, no matter what that state’s voters decided in their primary elections.

For example, a candidate could come in second in a large state but, if they have enough superdelegates on their side, they could lock up that state’s nomination.

How does this affect African-Americans? The fight for the Democratic nomination is especially tight and, historically, blacks have voted Democratic because the party generally supports social justice issues that affect our day-to-day lives. If, as a voter, you’ve selected one candidate over another, and so have the rest of the voters in your state, you’d rightly expect them to receive the state’s votes for the nomination. It will be an insult to your sensibilities to learn that, because of behind-the-scenes politicking, the votes instead went to the second place finisher.

The nation’s democratic process will only work if the votes of its citizens truly count. Both the 2000 and 2004 elections have proven to this country what can happen when the voices of the people are ignored.

How can you make sure your state’s superdelegates reflect your interests at the Democratic National Convention in August? Call them. Write them a letter. Send them an email. Let them know you expect them to do their job, which is to reflect your interests as a constituent.

---

H/T Judge Greg Mathis, who is national vice president of Rainbow PUSH and a national board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The Black Vote: "Super Tuesday" Live Blogging

Tasered While Black Brings You - Super Tuesday Rap Up with African American Political Pundit

Calling it the way I see it!

Calling it the way You See it!

Two Events on One Night! Super Tuesday!

First Event
Live Blogging starting at 6PM on Super Tuesday HERE!




2nd Event

Super Tuesday Rap Up with African American Political Pundit



Live event: 2/5/2008 11:00 p.m. E.T.

Call-in Number: (718) 508-9867

African American Political Pundit

Taser to sell pump-action stun-shotguns

Taser to sell pump-action stun-shotguns for long-range targets

PHOENIX—Stun gun maker Taser International said Friday it will offer police a pump-action Taser shotgun that will allow officers to knock out people from as far as 65 feet away.

The Taser/Mossberg X12 LLS almost doubles the range of the company's X26 model pistol. It uses a special pump-action shotgun developed by O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. and a wireless stunning device folded into the shell.

Taser spokesman Steve Tuttle said the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company started working on the shotgun with the U.S. military in mind. But he said the company decided the weapons would find a niche with police SWAT teams.

"Distance equals safety, and you want to have that extra cushion between you and the attacker," Tuttle said.

The Taser shotgun could be a gentler way of stopping people than firing beanbags or other projectiles, he said.

"You're really throwing a major league baseball fastball at somebody, with the beanbag round," Tuttle said. "You're causing some significant injuries."

Taser plans to field test the weapons starting in February at selected police departments and sell them at the end of 2008. Tuttle said the company hasn't published the price, but said the shotguns would be less expensive than the X26.

It doesn't have any agreements with the military to manufacture the shotguns.

Amnesty International, which claims that people have died as the result of Taser weapons, criticizes Taser for adding more weapons to its product line.

"The company just doesn't get it," Dalia Hashad, director of Amnesty's USA Program.

More HERE

All of this as Chicago Police Want More Tasers

The Chicago Police Department is looking to up its number of tasers from about 350 to 2,500 devices. Chicago had halted the distribution of tasers to their police following the autopsy results of tased suspect Ronald Hasse. The cause of death was found to be electrocution with drugs as a contributing factor.

The police department seems to have forgotten the incident and now cites tasers as "less-than-lethal":

"We view them as a less-than-lethal option," police spokeswoman Monique Bond said of the department's Tasers, which were discharged 181 times in 2006.

With over 290 taser-associated deaths from 2001-2007, that's clearly false. The acid test is this: Would those same 290 people have died if standard non-lethal apprehension techniques had been used? Statistics that examine trends in mortality rates before and after police departments begin employing tasers don't fully address that question. If a weapon is killing people, it's not very non-lethal

More HERE

Police forces should recognize TASERs and other electro-shock weapons as deadly force

Check out the debate on helium.com


One should recognize one simple fact about TASERS...they produce and conduct electricity then direct that powerful current into a human body when fired. Electric shock has been proven deadly to humans and beasts alike. What sense does it make to not recognize something factually deadly to any man, woman, or child as deadly force?

Searing heat which can cause third degree surface burns, singeing, and hemorrhaging, and organ damage is a byproduct of electric shock. The voltage of a TASER can produce such heat when used repeatedly or for extended periods of time without proper discretion. Those who do not recognize these facts are doomed to commit such heinous acts as multiple degrees of homicide under the false pretense of a "safe weapon" to use when apprehending social threats. Only those with limited values of human life could avoid recognizing a deadly weapon for what it is, rather they acknowledge it only as a tool for disciplining misbehaving citizens.

Under the right circumstances a TASER can prove an instant threat to an individual's life. An officer subduing a fleeing man in the rain or on wet terrain could kill the prisoner immediately. Let's assume the fleeing man was actually innocent of the crime he was accused of and ran out of shock and fear which resulted from a common failure to think rationally. This is an instance that can occur quite often. A trigger happy officer could, and very likely would, kill many people with the use of electricity. In terms of law enforcement a TASER is no different than a gun...only the ammunition used is worth recognizing as a difference.

I, as well as many others, believe TASERS should be recognized as deadly force and users of such weaponry should follow the same guidelines they would follow as with a pistol, rifle, or shotgun.

Learn more about this author, Mister E.

More here