Saturday, May 15, 2010

Yikes! Two In A Week

What type of knee jerk reaction will the department have now that two people have subsequently died after being tased? North Precinct had one a few days ago and Tucker Precinct had one last night.

We are not saying the Taser is the cause of death , after all both of the deceased were well over 350 lbs each, and one probably high on cocaine. But this is the type of situations where past leadership displayed non-sensible reaction.

Looks like our folks who were taken off the streets for refusing to be tased because of medical reasons just might have a case.

Let's see how the Wiz handles this.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is the first time I'm hearing about this, so these deaths must be a non-issue...ie, the officer acted as they were trained and did so in a professional manner.

I'm sorry for the families that these suspects left behind, but it sounds like a lifetime of decisions can be blamed for their demise.

Not taking care of yourself then fighting with the cops and causing trouble with those around you (or anyone for that matter ...especially in Dekalb County or even South Atlanta)didn't seem to work out too well for them.

I'm Ron Burgundy? said...

I'm in a glass case of emotion!

Anonymous said...

The guy at North was well over 400 pounds, a complete combative card carrying 22 and had dedicated on himself prior to becoming combative with officers and EMS. EMS was going to transport him and had retrained him on the stretcher. He broke the restraints and started fighting. He was tased into compliance and then transported to the hospital while still conscious and alert. We're still unsure the cause of death but I'd venture to say that ol' boy was on his way out long before the tasing.

Anonymous said...

Kliesrath was on the one at North. Apparently, he heard it go out on his radio and responded. Since he was involved, I don't expect it to be ruled improper. I mean, a 3-feather chief can do no wrong, and since he was the ranking officer there and he didn't stop it, it must be justified. Heaven knows, he is never wrong. Oh and I hope the officers involved had on clean uniforms, shined boots and starched undies. Hate for him to write them up for violation of his new edict.

CLARK GRISWOLD said...

Im gonna catch in my coat and SMACK it with the hammer!!

Anonymous said...

Ron I said some words to you yesterday, that was heartfelt but someone reminded me that some humor and lightness on this blog is needed, I apologize. I am starting to get into this retirement gig, and most of the stuff that I get upset over really doesn't matter for jack anymore.
As for the Tazers, the real risk is using them when they are not really needed. Cops are not as big and intimidating as before. I am big believer in intimidation in all respects, especially our national defense. In the case of civil disturbances, a big beefy cop with a serious attitude can do wonders in diffusing a bad situation and a Tazer therefor is needed.
Tazers are not infallibly benign, especially if the Tazee is under the influence of heavy drugs or has medical problems.
I have talked to several of the uniforms cops on patrol about the Tazers, and all admit that the Tazer is just a lower force tool for disabling a perp. If the Tazer fails then the service weapon is used with usually fatal results.
Given the choice as a perp, I would much rather be Tazed than perforated with 9 mm or .40 holes
A similar circumstance is the grizzly bear ruling by the feds banning the use of pepper spray against attacking bears (because it might injure the bear) and leaving only .357's and 44 mags as the only sure-fire and legal defense against charging bears.
What I am saying is that DeKalb PD
should start hiring really big intimidating cops that no one wants to frack with.
That's not going to happen in a million years and when the media gets a hold of this, DKPD will be left with their service weapon to take the perp down. A lose/lose situation all the way around.
I see Teton County, WY has an opening in my area of expertise. I love skiing and the great outdoors!
Rest assured that I have much unfinished business with the county and have the will to see it through.
You ain't seen nothing yet!

Anonymous said...

I got tased. Worst 5 seconds of my life. It sucked. But, I'm still here alive and kicking. 'nuf said. There is no reason to be getting rid of them a second time.

Anonymous said...

In my 8 years of service, I've been fortunate to have never taken a life. I've come very close, but his life was spared when he finally showed me his hands. After the fact, I couldn't secure my top strap because the hammer on my service pistol was half cocked. He came within millimeters of dying that night. Long and the short, I'm happy that I didn't have to take a life. Would it have been justified?

YES!

Take away my taser..... the limits my options.

Anonymous said...

Taser .....9mm/40cal...

I'm taught to shoot two center mass and one to the dome.

Nuff said.

One is fatal if I do it right, one is not. Last time we led the nation in perps dispatched, they indicted one of my fellow officers.

If you don't like the results, don't limit my options.

Anonymous said...

Tazers don't kill people The bad decisions of perps kill them.

If you're an obese slob with heart problems, you're flirting with death every moment.

If you're a crackhead or meth junkie messing up your body, you're flirting with death every moment.

When you've got these kinds of health issues, just struggling with the police and being handcuffed can result in death.

Anonymous said...

Anon #7: A M E N

Anonymous said...

TASER TASER TASER! Dear citizens of Dekalb County, If the tasers are taken away, then like the other commenters said, my option are limited. The chances of me using deadly force, like a gun are greater.

Anonymous said...

It's just hard to believe a guy who took such good care of himself could just die all of a sudden like that. /end sarcasm

I wouldn't be surprised if the commissioners took the tasers away. They don't care about police. All they care about is saving face in the eyes of the public. I'd be willing to bet the majority of people support pd having tasers, but a very vocal minority of cry babies will convince the commissioners it's in their best interest to make it more dangerous for us to do our jobs.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what everybody is crying about if they take the tasers away again. then its back to dispatching perps the old fashion way. either way I'm going home at the end of the night. and if you take the taser from me I'll just get an extended weekend and you will have to explain why officers are shooting and killing the citizens of dekalb county

Taser Fan said...

Here's an article in the Champion Newspaper: Not much to add, except that the ME's investigator wouldn't "throw the taser under the bus".

http://www.championnewspaper.com/news/articles/419examiner-unclear-whether-tasers-played-role-in-deaths-419.html