No, Taser shouldn't be banned. They are a toold for law enforcement to safely do their job. What should happen is more training with them. Not the type of training, "Here is the taser. Her is how you turn it on. Here is how to reload it." It should be scenario training, much like the shoot no shoot we do with firearms.
We have all this equipment to safely do our job. Sometimes, people refuse to comply with our directions or plain out want to fight. In those instances, force is justified. Departments all have policies detailing when a lethal or less than lethal weapon is alowed to utilized. State law, local courts and the Supreme Court of the United States, mandate training and gives law enforcement the power (authority) to do their job.) For lack of a better term, no other job in the world gives a cop the ability to be judge, jury and executioner within in 1 second.
No i am not saying kill everyone or beat the hell out of them. What I am saying is folks like to say " the cops are too hard. Take away their tools. They get away with everything." They say this till something violent happens to them and then they understand why police do what they do.
I personally tell all my deputies that I have two rules and they are unbreakable. Rule #1. Never lie to me. If you do, you are done. Rule #2, We all go home every night. If someone dies, someone screwed up. I have already lost too many of my friends in the line of duty. I refuse to loose anymore.
Also, videos can be slanted one way to serve a purpose. There have been many examples of the media only showing a portion of the footage, but not showing what lead up to the "force used."
Ok i have been on my soapbox too long. Just giving you al food for thought. If anyone wants to come ride along during a shift in South LA and see what really goes on, send me a PM and I will arrange it. I do respect others opinions and know that some of my profession do act like asses.
Bill
RIP: Jerry Ortiz, Michael Hoenig, Stephen Blair, Nelson Yamamoto, Jake Kuergiyan, Dave March! You paid the ultimate sacrafice protecting the people of Los Angeles County. You will never be fogotten!