They didn't have tasers back in the '60s but I'm trying to imagine how Barney Fife would have arrested a teenager in a disorderly conduct situation.
Posted on 07/20/2008 1:16:07 PM PDT by LibWhacker
Officer Suspended For 5 Days
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A teenager died after being hit with a police Taser gun for 37 seconds, and the whole thing was caught on tape by surveillance cameras.
Authorities said that Darryl Turner had been in a confrontation with a supervisor at work at a North Carolina grocery store.
When Officer Jerry Dawson arrived, he fired his Taser gun at the 17-year-old and struck him in the sternum.
"The initial use of the (Taser gun) is not in question," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Ken Miller.
However, for 37 seconds, Dawson continued to use the Taser gun against the teen.
An autopsy revealed that Darryl Turner died of a heart attack, authorities said.
NBC Charlotte affiliate WCNC reported that Dawson was given a five-day suspension for firing the Taser gun too long.
"I wouldn't want to be (hit with a Taser gun) for 37 seconds, I can assure you of that," said Joe Kuhns, a professor of criminal justice at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "It's a lengthy period of time."
Kuhns said he does support the use of the guns, however. "For the most part, their use has been effective. It has reduced officer injuries. It has reduced suspect injuries."
But a recently released National Institute of Justice study indicated that since 1987, there have been 300 deaths from the devices, also called conducted energy devices.
"There may be circumstances in which repeated or continuous exposure is required, but law enforcement should be aware that the associated risks are unknown," the study said. "Therefore, caution is urged in using multiple activations of (Taser guns) as a means to accomplish subdual."
Turner's family said they believe he didn't have to die.
"The officer was not confronted with circumstances that required the use of that type of force," said family attorney Ken Harris.
Dawson won't face criminal charges in the case, but Turner's family is considering a lawsuit, WCNC reported.
They didn't have tasers back in the '60s but I'm trying to imagine how Barney Fife would have arrested a teenager in a disorderly conduct situation.
I’ve never quite understood the widespread hatred of cops at FreeRepublic.
Police should be trained to de-escalate but they tend to escalate confrontations and kill people.
...who have no concept of self responsibility, practice self reliance in a lawful and moral manner, have no regard for the rule of law and feel no accountability for their provocative actions.
Police officers are trained to deescalate confrontations and many do so very effectively. For every news-making situation like this there are likely dozens of potentially hazardous situations that occur daily across the country. These situations are effectively and professionally defused by police officers with no one getting hurt and rarely noted in the local news.
Perhaps those people who challenge police officers and getting hurt or killed in the process should practice some self responsibility and have a little more regard for the rule of law.
So tell me, if you have just cause to pull the trigger on a revolver, what do you do if you don't get a proper response to your action?
That's right, you pull the trigger again!
DUH!
I agree with you whole heartedly that confronting the police is a very bad idea. However, this is 2008 and the power of the state has grown to unbelievable levels and is due for a trim. Federalism reaches into our lives through all kinds of strings attached to federal dollars returned to the states. If now is not the time to challenge the power provided to all levels of government over our lives when will that time be? War on drugs, war on accidents, war on smog, war on poverty, regulation of tobacco, alcohol, firearms etc. I just want to be left alone. Instead at every turn I am confronted with the power of the State. As an example of my desire to be free my brother lives at an airport community in a rural area. They have a neighborhood association that governs what goes on and protects the airport lifestyle. The president of the association, without consulting anyone called the county and demanded that speed limit signs be put up at 10 mph in order to protect the children in the neighborhood. He also invited the sheriff to come out and enforce it. My brother is the only guy living there with kids and his reaction mirrors mine. He asked the guy why in the name of time would you bring the world into our nice community. He is the only one with kids but he doesn’t want the speed limits and doesn’t want the sheriff patrolling. Americans are just way to willing to give up freedom for safety. I don’t think that being left out of the government system is even an option for most Americans and that is just sad.
Hope that clarifies why I am willing to trim state power in this day and age of nanny state dependence on gubt power.
That said, though, there are plenty of "badge heavy" police officers out there angering normally pro-law enforcement citizens through their authoritarian attitudes and unethical actions.
I just want to be left alone. Instead at every turn I am confronted with the power of the State.
I am amazed at how intrusive the state and feds are. I am just so tired of how much they own of me. I wish that I could live on a deserted island sometimes.
Me too, but most Americans will disagree with us. Most folks demand more police, more inspectors, more bureaucrats. I feel sure that I am an endangered species and not even close to what “conservatism” has become. The police exist to protect that state and that is their mission. If protecting you happens to align with that mission then great you are in luck. I really wonder what happened to Thomas Jefferson governing philosophy. Talk about it among your conservative friends and they will call you a liberal. I want small small small government (under funded, under manned, overworked and working in poor conditions) I don’t want to ever hear from them unless I ask. Enforce contracts, protect mail build and maintain roads, bridges railways and waterways. Thats about it.
On this point we are in total agreement.
oops didn’t mean to protect the mail, meant deliver the mail and protect the borders. Strong Military but lets use them overseas.
Yes Mr. Rammer it is a difficult situation when confronted with a choice like this. Trust the Police, or trust the Media. Don’t trust either one of them. Can’t say who I trust less. Kind of like asking me if I would like to have Hitler or Stalin run my neighborhood association. Just a really tough choice. Media’s job is to enlarge the power of journalism, and the mission of the Police is to protect the State and it’s institutions. Hmmm, who do I trust here?
lol BINGO that will teach em!
I agree.
I believe that there is an ongoing investigation at the moment. There may be more consequences coming to the officer, although I could be mistaken on that point.
I understand your frustration, but keep in mind that, as I have pointed out repeatedly on this thread, the video has been edited and the story structured by this local news station in order to elicit just the emotional response that many are having.
Just be skeptical of the media.
I have to say that a “healthy skepticism” of authority would be understood. The out-and-out hatred is surprising.
So you would call those corrupt dirty rotten cops!
Its always the same.
You should try being a cop for a week. I can tell right now , my money is on that you wouldn't even last a day!
LOL.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.