Tasers Consequences

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Running Head: Tasers and Impact Munitions Tasers and Impact Munitions Jana Engleking Everest University CCJ 1020-12 Professor Demetric Armstead March 12, 2012 Tasers and other stun guns have proved effective in limiting injuries to police and suspects, but law enforcements need to guard against potential abuse by officers who overly rely on such tools (The Post and Courier, 2009). The findings from a study are included in one of the largest studies conducted into police use of force and injuries that result from stun guns, pepper spray, batons, and firearms (The Post and Courier, 2009). The study, funded by a $650,000 U.S. Justice Department grant, comes at a time when more than 11,500 police agencies use Tasers to control suspects…show more content…
The rate of injuries to suspects fell 30 percent after Tasers were introduced, while the rate of officer injuries fell by a quarter in Austin (The Post and Courier, 2009). Stun guns use an electromagnetic pulse to override a person’s nervous system, temporarily disabling a suspect and giving officers a brief window to cuff and control him (The Post and Courier, 2009). Deputies are trained to use their tasers only when necessary, such as when a suspect resists arrest, threatens an officer or tries to escape (The Post and Courier, 2009). Civil rights groups have questioned the frequency of taser use and the safety of the devices (The Post and Courier, 2009). Such questions gained traction when a man with a history of mental impairment died after being stunned multiple times with a taser by police (The Post and Courier, 2009). Their have been reported deaths related to the use of stun guns like the taser (The Post and Courier, 2009). While low in rate, a few deaths were associated with excessive rounds of stun gun shocks (The Post and Courier, 2009). Whether stun guns led to or played a role in the majority of deaths in question remains unclear (The Post and Courier,…show more content…
2003). If these munitions are not fired from the safe distance of 25 feet, blunt-force type injuries can occur, some resulting in fatal outcomes (Driscoll, P. 2003). Accuracy of aim is also crucial; strikes to the head, neck and throat dramatically increase the risk of death (Driscoll, P. 2003). In addition, the preexisting health of the subject can contribute to a fatal outcome when struck with a beanbag round (Driscoll, P. 2003). A possibility exists that impact from kinetic impact munitions can result in cardiac dysrhythmia or traumatic apnea, resulting in death (Driscoll, P. 2003). A second disadvantage to utilizing beanbag munitions is the possibility for the general public to mistake the shotgun intended for beanbag rounds for a loaded gun (Driscoll, P. 2003). Seeing an officer brandishing what appears to be a loaded shotgun in an active pursuit of a suspect through a crowded airport could potentially cause panic situation and also negatively affect the image of the airport police (Driscoll, P. 2003). Also, the shotgun and beanbag rounds would have to be kept at a different locale than on the officer’s body, making emergency use potentially difficult (Driscoll, P.

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