Posted on 11/21/2007 11:58:07 AM PST by Sopater
An internal police investigation is under way after a formal complaint was filed against a Utah state trooper who was videotaped Tasering a man who refused to sign a speeding ticket.
The officer's conduct has been called into question after a videotape of the incident was posted on YouTube.
The video, taken from a Utah Highway Patrol dashboard camera, shows Trooper John Gardner using a Taser on Jared Massey during a traffic stop on State Road 40 in Uintah County on Sept. 14.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
LOL--that statement should come with a disclaimer. Something such as, "poster not responsible for loss of teeth."
That’s what really makes me think that the cop knew he had messed up. He lied to the other cop about the events. Either that or he was so shook up he didn’t remember. Either way, I don’t want him on the police force in my city. There are way better men out there wearing the uniform.
susie
Google for the guy who beat the snot out of a female cop while his twelve-year-old daughter watched.
It happens, and that the doofus’ irrational actions predicated the officer’s tazer action.
Yep.
Posted like somebody who’s never been “restrained” before.
“However, to taser the guy before you explain that to him, and to let him fall into a highway where cars are driving by at 40MPH seems a bit excessive and dangerous.”
From what I saw and heard in the video, the officer was more than justified in taking the measures that he did. That he didn’t also take the wife into custody for interferring with an officer was surprising to me. He spent more time attempting to reason with these two dolts than what they deserved.
Officer was very wrong. Should lose his job.
Yeah, but most 28 year old married white guys with a pregnant wife in the car act rationally and responsibly.
BTW, would you have reacted to a traffic ticket the way Massey did?
Dispatch is notified, the cop has a carbon copy, the DL # and plate.
I saw the video you are referring to a long time ago.
The “doofus” as you refer to him was not a threat to the officer. The officer did not follow procedure when he was issuing the ticket. Had he done that and the guy got out of hand and refused, than the officer had the rights to arrest the guy.
The guy in the older video was a threat the moment the officer thought of pulling him over. Hope she made a full recovery.
In case you haven't noticed, dude, there has been a LOT of that lately.
This idiot needs to be terminated from police employment. The trooper should have asked for a decision by his supervisor as to what he should do in such a situation.
On this forum officers comment on the signing of citations.
Go to: http://forums.officer.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-14631.html
Here is some advice from an attorney:
General Practice - Traffic Law - Signing ticket
What could happen if a police officer wanted me to sign a traffic ticket and I refused?
The traffic ticket contains an actual notice to you of a pending court date at which you must appear. By signing the ticket, you are providing an acknowledgment of receipt of the “notice to appear.” Since the officer is charging you with a violation of law, he could take you into custody. By signing the traffic ticket, you avoid being taken into custody at that time, and are “released on your own recognizance” pending the court date. It is better to sign the traffic ticket and go about your business pending the court date. By signing the traffic ticket, you remain free and retain the right to show up at the hearing to contest the issuance of the citation or summons.
A person is free to refuse to sign the traffic ticket; however, the police officer is free to place him/her under arrest and take him/her into custody.
What did they do before they got tazors?
Google for the guy who beat the snot out of a female cop while his twelve-year-old daughter watched.
http://www.killsometime.com/video/video.asp?ID=74
Compare the number of taser-ings (40,000 last year, from FOX ?) with shootings. 150/40,000 =.00375 or .375% isn’t that lethal, especially compared to gunshots.
The vast majority of taserings end just like the video, with a lucid but compliant suspect.
The taser is here to stay because the alternatives, like a split skull and broken bones, etc. are much worse.
Thanks for your help ;)
Doing the work I’m too lazy to do ;)
Yah. I watched it. The audio was spotty and alot of what was said was unclear at times. But the driver of the SUV was flipping the cop crap from the moment the cop pulled him over. He was spoiling for a fight. He's lucky he didn't get nightstick across the knees.
Cops, even if you think they are wrong, rightly must expect that their commands will be obeyed. You choose to stop doing that, and the situation will escalate. Every time.
You don't need to tell the officer that you disagree with the ticket. That part of the event is over. He's not going to change his mind, nor should he. That's now for a judge to sort out. You politely sign the ticket and go about your business. If this guy had done that he would've driven away without incident. But he was the one that decided instead to create a scene, and he got was he was itchin' for.
Based on cloud movement, it's missing ~10 minutes.
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