[arctichomesteader]

Rutland man sues city over '07 Taser incident: Rutland Herald Online

Not some terrific people but perhaps I'm a bit biased against the Rutland City police, and want them hammered by a lawsuit, so I wish them luck as much as they disgust me.

[GrnMtnFire]

If it was a "bad guy" telling you to do something, regardless of what it was wouldn't you do it?

It is a simple concept, do what the guy with the weapon is telling you.

[flu189]

From a law enforcement perspective the taser is a great tool which I wish I had when I was on the job versus having to to grapple or use blunt force strikes to defend against or take violent people into custody. Unfortunately, by placing such a tool into the inventory it falls right in the middle of the options in the levels of force and there always will be officers who will either outright abuse it or use it in situations where it may not be warranted. Can't speak for the incident in question or parties involved, but I can tell you that from my experience that no matter how right you are in using force there will ALWAYS be critics ready to lop your head off. LOL, then some wonder why so many cops, especially older ones, try at all costs to avoid calls or situations where force may become necessary. It's because you really get burned out from the volume of damned if you do and damned if you don't calls you have to handle.

[NowOrNever]

Good I hope he wins, you don't Rutland or Vermont to become another New Orleans or run down city when you are tazed to death for protesting.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by NowOrNever

Good I hope he wins, you don't Rutland or Vermont to become another New Orleans or run down city when you are tazed to death for protesting.

Uhm, the perp was actually resisting efforts to be secured in the cruiser for transport. He was under lawfull arrest and being a jerk. This in no way assumes the level of force was appropriate or not, but by blindly rallying for the perp and hoping he gets an reward for his acts is what is precisely the problem as it just encourages more ridiculus and expensive litigation where we all lose. Common sense dictates that if you are being arrested then comply. If you feel it is in error the proper and respectable forum for mature redress comes later, not acting like a fool at the time of arrest. So simple, but yet so hard for many to grasp. Also, being under the influence of alcohol/drugs is not a valid defense, at least where I used to work, but then again here in Vermont nothing would surprise me.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

but perhaps I'm a bit biased against the Rutland City police

Why is that? Just curious.

[MRVphotog]

Well the Bratt police were successfully sued about a year ago for tasing a couple of protesters. Last week in NYC(I think?) a naked man was tased and fell about 10 feet to his death. It violated their procedure so I'm sure if family members sue they will be successful.

My father is a retired NYC police officer and I am sure he would have said the taser is a great tool but will get misused. He was never big on high tech weapons for law enforcement.

Law enforcement is a very challenging job and as times goes by it's not getting any easier.

[flu189]

Years ago in NYC the cops simply used direct force to either gain compliance or send a message. Saw it several times myself in my neighborhood and in every case the perp on the receiving deserved it. When I finally got on the job the only additional tech tool was chemical spray which then improved to the current OC Spray. The straight baton and your hands were all you had short of using your firearm. That recent case in Brooklyn only violated the procedure in that the EDP fell from a height. It's too bad, but also so sad that the Lt who gave the order opted to commit suicide even with the fact he had 21 years on and could have just put in his retirement papers. Again, it's so easy for outsiders after the incident to analyze and pass judgement. Law enforcement is an honorable job, but also too often a very lousy one where any decision can come back and destroy you.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Why is that? Just curious.

Guns, Politics and Homesteading: once again harassed

I am absolutely not impressed with Rutland's police.

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by flu189

That recent case in Brooklyn only violated the procedure in that the EDP fell from a height.

The news said they were supposed to have one of those blowup cushions in that situation, it was on the way, the supervising officer should have waited. Who knows, I wasn't there.