[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS : Mother calls 999 to report her 16-yr-old son following an assault had locked her out … When police arrived, … He then said he came out with his hands out but was then “jumped on” which led to a scuffle before the stun gun was used. ]] An inquiry is under […]
[[ Summary / Comments: The police need to become more sensitive to “psychiatric” problems of all kinds. As police increasingly become the first interveners, Oregon authorities introduce training, which is funded by the Autism Society of Oregon with help from Autism Research and Resources of Oregon to help identify those suffering from this problem. ]] […]
[[ Summary / Comments: In a press release. New Zealand police argue that they are unfairly blamed for their treatment on the mentally disturbed after the Mental Health Foundation called for a formal review of police use of Tasers after figures released this week showed four out of 10 of those tasered in the past […]
[[Summary / Comments : While the New Zealand police commissioner is calling for more guns (including semi-automatics) for frontline police officers, he also advocated greated availability of tasers, which is prime-minister John Key’s preference, but police association demanded more guns, rather than tasers]] Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has allocated $6 million to get more guns […]
[[Summary / Comments : A long article weighing up the pro-s and con-s of rolling out tasers for all police officers following a one year “trial” in Victoria. What emerges clearest is the police want them while civil society remains extremely critical.]] ABC, by Gus Goswell Many police and security professionals swear by them. Critics […]
[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS: We don’t usually post lawsuits until there are decisions, but Galveston police appear to have overstepped all boundaries: “Jamaal R. Valentine sought medical attention for an apparent heart attack only to be met and beaten by three La Marque police officers.” Motorists calls 911 for medical emergency, the police are first responders […]
[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS: This post appears to fir into the “appropriate use of taser” category, but (a) did the police consider any negotiation? (b) was the man still threatening others when they arrived? (c) if he was “delirious” (sic, u.e., in psychiatric distress) should this have been a sign to use or not use the […]
[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS: An editorial in the county paper where a city agreed to a $1.9-million settlement. “The case started when 66-year-oldPeter McFarland fell outside his home after returning with his wife from a fundraiser. She called authorities for help.” He was somewhat drunk and threatened to commit suicide. He received 4 shocks from a […]
[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS: GlobalShock does not believe that new guide-lines are a panacea, but they can provide increased protection as long as the taser is in use. The “PERF 2011 Guidelines” are, we believe ground-breaking, from a widely-respected US forum (Police Executive Research Forum: PERF) – developed for and with the U.S. Department of Justice, […]
[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS: Despite widespread police understanding, “regular reports about police misinterpreting behaviors related to seizures or post-seizure confusion as criminal conduct or aggression”. The recent death of James Edward Wells, who received multiple taser discharges (and other injuries) illustrates how things can go very wrong. The Foundation refers police to their handbook on how […]
[[SUMMARY / COMMENTS: “Law enforcement should never use Tasers when responding to persons experiencing seizures or post-seizure confusion.” In a position statement, the (official) Epilepsy Foundation of America states it is providing financial support to pay for lawyers charging “Wrongful Death Suit Filed in Case of Man with Epilepsy Restrained and Tasered by Police” – […]