tasers vs public record

[psspss]

what information is available to the public regarding tasers used by local officers? ie: how many are used and how often, what training each officer has had, the taser recorder itself or documentation on those used, if/and any certification required? I know the actual incident report is public record, but not sure about more specifics or where to get such info. thank you.

[WaTcHeR]

www.cephas-library.com/nwo/nwo_use%20of%20tasers_raises_safety_questions.html

What is more, aside from a continuing Defense Department study, the results of which have not been released, no federal or state agencies have studied the safety, or effectiveness, of Tasers, which fall between two federal agencies and are essentially unregulated. Nor has any federal agency studied the deaths to determine what caused them. In at least two cases, local medical examiners have said Tasers were partly responsible. In many cases, autopsies are continuing or reports are unavailable.

The few independent studies that have examined the Taser have found that the weapon's safety is unproven at best. The most comprehensive report, by the British government in 2002, concluded "the high-power Tasers cannot be classed, in the vernacular, as `safe.' " Britain has not approved Tasers for general police use.

A 1989 Canadian study found that stun guns induced heart attacks in pigs with pacemakers. A 1999 study by the Department of Justice on an electrical weapon much weaker than the Taser found that it might cause cardiac arrest in people with heart conditions. In reviewing other electrical devices, the Food and Drug Administration has found that a charge half as large as that of the M26 can be dangerous to the heart.


Other links on stories on Tasers:
www.forcesciencenews.com/home/current.html

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4488274&sourceCode=RSS

www.azcentral.com/specials/special43/articles/1130taseramnesty30.html


The best information will probably will be "Amnesty International" web site.

web.amnesty.org/library/index/engamr511392004

web.amnesty.org/wire/February2003/Taser

www.amnestyusa.org/countries/usa/index.do

[psspss]

thank you very much for the information - I should be more specific in my questions, sorry - What I meant was.. If a local officer shot someone with a taser - How and where would I be able to get specific information regarding that single incident. What is considered public record and what is not regarding that specific incident? (other than the actual sheriff's report) ie. I would like to know how many times "joe" was shot and for what duration(s). ? I would like to know if "Officer Jack" had any training.. and what their policy is on tasers.

[WaTcHeR]

psspss said:

thank you very much for the information - I should be more specific in my questions, sorry - What I meant was.. If a local officer shot someone with a taser - How and where would I be able to get specific information regarding that single incident. What is considered public record and what is not regarding that specific incident? (other than the actual sheriff's report) ie. I would like to know how many times "joe" was shot and for what duration(s). ? I would like to know if "Officer Jack" had any training.. and what their policy is on tasers.

The police report should have all that information your looking for? It didn't indicate how many times that person was Taser or for how long? If it's not in the police report, I don't think it will be anywhere else.

As far as a certain department and what their training and their policy is on the use of Taser's, you might want to write a letter to that department and ask for that information. If you don't get a reply, you might need to send the request "certified mail." If your state has "open public records" and you still don't get a request within 10 days, you might have to contact your state Attorney General and file a complaint.

[psspss]

thank you for the quick response I'll look more into your suggestions and.. No - report did not mention duration of shots and the number of shots did not match what was quoted in the newspapers by the officer(s), or the physicians report from the hospital, or the autopsy report. Makes you wonder if there is a coverup going on?? I know tasers do have a recorder in them that records shots and durations but wasn't sure if it was something that would be considered "public record" since reading what constitutes a public record this would fall into something that could be harmful to them or used against them in some way? I'm sure an attorney would have no problem though. Thank you again. Does each sheriff's dept have their own general policies? or is there something standard that they all follow? if so is there a site I can check for this?

[WaTcHeR]

psspss said:

what constitutes a public record this would fall into something that could be harmful to them or used against them in some way?

As far as knowing what information is available in "your" state, you would have to do a little research. Try on the net, the ACLU in your state could help, send an e-mail to your State Attorney General and ask him. This I have done on several occasions to clarify what I can and can't get as far as "public records," in my state. I usually got a answer from them within ten days.

As I stated before I believe the majority of information your looking for will come from whatever records the "sheriffs department" has. As far as a lawyer getting the information you seek, I think you could get whatever you need through the "Freedom of Information Act."

To get the information send them a "certified letter," requesting whatever your looking for, be specific. Be nice in your letter and tell them that your requesting the information under the "Freedom of Information Act," and you would like the information mailed to you within ten days, as required by law. That is basically how I ask for records and get them. If they don't comply with your request, then you have to file a complaint with the State Attorney General's Office. Unless the information you seek is still "under investigation," then you should get all the information you request, according to the law in your state.

psspss said:

Does each sheriff's dept have their own general policies? or is there something standard that they all follow? if so is there a site I can check for this?

Yes as far as I know each county sheriffs department, will have their own different polices. Each department will be different in such things as car chases, use of force, ect.

There's really no site to check this out, well I take that back. Maybe the department your wondering about, maybe they have a website and they may list their policies on there. Otherwise your back to requesting that information in a letter to that particular department, as far as what there "policies" are.

[kelmrwilson]

watcher said:

www.cephas-library.com/nwo/nwo_use%20of%20tasers_raises_safety_questions.html

What is more, aside from a continuing Defense Department study, the results of which have not been released, no federal or state agencies have studied the safety, or effectiveness, of Tasers, which fall between two federal agencies and are essentially unregulated. Nor has any federal agency studied the deaths to determine what caused them. In at least two cases, local medical examiners have said Tasers were partly responsible. In many cases, autopsies are continuing or reports are unavailable.

The few independent studies that have examined the Taser have found that the weapon's safety is unproven at best. The most comprehensive report, by the British government in 2002, concluded "the high-power Tasers cannot be classed, in the vernacular, as `safe.' " Britain has not approved Tasers for general police use.

A 1989 Canadian study found that stun guns induced heart attacks in pigs with pacemakers. A 1999 study by the Department of Justice on an electrical weapon much weaker than the Taser found that it might cause cardiac arrest in people with heart conditions. In reviewing other electrical devices, the Food and Drug Administration has found that a charge half as large as that of the M26 can be dangerous to the heart.


Other links on stories on Tasers:
www.forcesciencenews.com/home/current.html

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4488274&sourceCode=RSS

www.azcentral.com/specials/special43/articles/1130taseramnesty30.html


The best information will probably will be "Amnesty International" web site.

web.amnesty.org/library/index/engamr511392004

web.amnesty.org/wire/February2003/Taser

www.amnestyusa.org/countries/usa/index.do

[kelmrwilson]

My husband suffers from bi-polar disorder. i had no choice but to call the police last June he was suicidal. he did not threaten me or the kids, he did not stop us from leaving either. We were named victims in the case against him though. He was the only one in the apt no one else was in danger. he had officers outside the window they did not call any mental health crisis workers, they drug our 10 yr old son into the middle of it he had to stand in front of 3 officers with their weapons aimed at his dad, when the 10 yr old couldn't get him to come out, they had their chance and took a shot with a bean bag rifle he had his back turned, then they charged in the front door and hit him some more with bags and two tasers, he did not make a stabbing motion at an officer, he was falling down. they acted like this was some big hostage situation. i have just recently learned that the swat team was on their way back from a training manuever and thought this could be beneficial as well. Clearly this was a case of excessive force and I cannot get anyone to do anything about it. I personally think they couldn't take being out in the heat anymore and their so called swat team needed some target practice. I never dreamed they would create a case like that. It landed my husband in prison, he needed help. I would like the chance to speak for myself as far as being a victim. We are victims of the sheriffs office not my husband. If you know what I can do here, please let me know.

[ObSeRvEr]

Those stupid officers had their guns drawn on a knife wielding bi-polar subject attempting to keep him contained or take him into custody. How dare they physically grab your son and pull him in front of their weapons. I cant believe that they used less than lethal means when they got a chance to end the situation before any one was harmed (your husband included). They should have given him a hug.

I think the best way to keep your husband safe from the police is to give him a hug and wait for him to finish whatever he sets out to do. Watch out for the stabbing motion though!

[WaTcHeR]

ObSeRvEr said:

Those stupid officers had their guns drawn on a knife wielding bi-polar subject attempting to keep him contained or take him into custody. How dare they physically grab your son and pull him in front of their weapons. I cant believe that they used less than lethal means when they got a chance to end the situation before any one was harmed (your husband included). They should have given him a hug.

They are not "stupid" cops, they are highly trained COWARDS! Anyone including a cop that uses a child as a shield, is a piece of shit!

[LoOkEr]

You are a retard if you think that they used him as a shield. Wow you are soft in the head.

[Headshot]

LoOkEr said:

You are a retard if you think that they used him as a shield. Wow you are soft in the head.

Then why do you think the cops did, what they did with the kid?