Reply #8: While there has been instances

[Flyboy_451]

in which the use of a Taser reportedly resulted in death, they still remain to be very seldom in comparison to their level of use. Generally speaking, Tasers are a LESS LETHAL weapon, not a less THAN lethal weapon.

Personally, I am a strong advocate of the Taser as a tool within the escalation of force. Unfortunately, like any other tool, Tasers can, and have been misused. The value of tools such as pepper spray and Tasers is that they allow for options that are less likely to result in serious injury or death, while still allowing for control of a violent situation. Downsides include misinformation regarding when and how they should be used.

The general public, often seems to cry outrage at the use of ANY form of force without understanding the events that led to the action in question. Police officers face challenges that most other people have never been faced with and then must answer for their actions to these same people. To question a decision made at a moments notice, that results in life or death consequences presents it's own complications. I find it hard to question a police officer's judgment without first hand knowledge of the incident in question.

Imagine the stress you would be under if the decisions you made at work had the consequences of life and death. Now imagine that you must make those decisions instantly, based on very limited information. Now imagine that people with little or no experience in similar situations are going to evaluate your actions and determine whether you made the right decision. Keep in mind that the people judging you, will have the advantage of retrospect, the possibility of evidence that you did not have at your disposal when you made the decision, and the safety of not being engaged in a violent encounter.

While there will always be cases in which police officers make mistakes, keep in mind that we are human, and are thus limited by the same constraints as any other person. Our training is intended to provide guidance from which to base decisions on, but it is impossible to train for every situation that may arise. Sometimes the best we can do, is to make a decision that we HOPE is right. To question this decision based on nothing more than was presented in the posted news article, does nothing but drive a wedge between the community and those who wear a uniform. I am not saying that law enforcement is above oversight, but that oversight should be tempered to take into account the situation at hand, and that those charged with oversight should have a working knowledge of dealing with such encounters.

JW