I wouldn't recommend trying that philosophy if you are part of a scene an Officer is trying to control. The experience would be a little different than being a cyber tough-guy on an internet forum. I would like to see everyone co-operate and get through through the scene without incident.
I must say that I am a little disappointed by the LEOs in this thread, including you. What you suffer from is an unnecessary sense of urgency. Unless you are in a riot, there is plenty of time to deal with someone who is uncooperative, which does not include the use of a taser. I'll give you a hint: find a force matrix. We used to carry them around in the Navy behind our base IDs. I'm sure if you call a local Armed Forces Recruiter, they can help give you an education. We have troops driving down the streets of Baghdad who understand when to escalate force. Why can't our cops in Podunk, Illinois understand this? This isn't rocket science.
You have way too large of an ego to be a safe LEO. I honestly don't care if it takes 15 minutes to calm someone down verbally or if you have to call in another officer for assistance: only use a taser to prevent injury to yourself or others or to prevent property damage. Being trigger happy because you are uneasy is no excuse. This is the kind of thinking that makes cops taser grandmas, nonviolent motorists, and unconcious bus passengers.
Another feeling I get from reading this thread is that the LEOs here think that they outrank civilians. Wrong! It is the opposite. While civilians don't have any authority to give an individual LEO a command, the LEO (like anybody in the military) must give them proper respect. The only authority a LEO has over a civilian is as defined by law, not some problem with their bruised egos. If a civilian is disrespectful to a LEO, then the LEO better suck it up.
In #33, a fellow named mamelukesabre was expressing his view on "tasering" cops and I said "One must resist orders given by the Officer, defy his efforts to control his scene, and be show that you are not willing to co-operate with verbal commands before your tasered.
In Post #63, that angry fellow Sarajevo wrote copied and pasted my post #33 line, and wrote his response to it. He said "Yes Oh Mighty One. We will follow your commands..... yeah-RIGHT!"
Well, it seemed he made the perfect example of why Officers carry tasers, and that is when Officers get that response from people on their scene. The taser is used when verbal commands do not work, and the use of force is escalated. So, in post # 75, I pointed that out, and even offered some advise. I would not want to do that out on the street, its one thing to act like Mr Tough guy online, that does not get anyone in trouble, but I would not want him to carry out his philosophy out in the world where people can get hurt. I stated as such and even said "I would like to see everyone co-operate and get through through the scene without incident.
So then you come along in post # 100 with this posting about ego's and how LEO's need to "suck it up" if a civilian is disrespectful.
I feel that you misunderstood the conversation I was having. I am afraid that Sarajevo may get himself into trouble, and was trying to help. I was raised to show respect to LEO's, and you and Sarajevo disagree with that approach (Im sure not 100%, but to a point). But I still feel my advise to Sarajevo was valid, I dont recommend him taking that approach to Officer's, and I say that with a concern for the poor fellow. Your theory is " If a civilian is disrespectful to a LEO, then the LEO better suck it up."
well, they do, every day. I thik you can come out with a more positive outlook than what you have, but the world is full of people who dont like cops. I have scars and medical records to show it.
I tell you what, because I have seem to upset some of you guys by defending Officers with tasers, I will be the one to back down. I will swallow my "way too large of an ego" (your words to me) and say yall are right, and Im wrong.
Clearly The KG9 Kid in Post # 50 was right when he told me "Give it another ten years when police departments will be wanting funding for the Taser company's new basketball-shaped model full of electrified fishhooks that they can just roll into an elementary school cafeteria to zap everyone in the room."
He is right, that has been a secret plan all along, to taser an entire school cafeteria of elementary school children with fish hook tasers. Now that I am on your side, I will work to expose this "Truther" style conspiracy.
And mamelukesabre was correct in post #38 when he said "...a cop wearing a tasergun, within taser range, would be probable cause for me to taser him...before he tasers me."
I was wrong to disagree with that one. Tasers are legal to carry in many states, so since I am no longer defending the Officer's here and siding with you, then .. YA! Go for it!
Sarajevo's post in #97 gives some links of some news stories of where Officers may or may not have misused a taser. Perfect, this is an accurate representation of the daily use of tasers across the USA. The media give stories of soldier "abuses" in Iraq almost everyday, and even the democratic Senate acknowledges that is an accurate account of military conduct. So those Officers are clearly following their use of force policies too. After all, the media doesnt have a bias do they? I tell you, I feel liberated with this new line of thinking agreeing with you guys.
Sarajevo in Post #33 "Yes Oh Mighty One. We will follow your commands..... yeah-RIGHT!"
Im with you brother! Screw the Officers trying to control their scene and attempting to bring order. YEAH - RIGHT should be the public response. Tell the children too. I am in 100% agreement with you.
Im glad we are all on the same side now. The only thing more evil than the tasers are those officers that carry them. I have to go now, I need to send in my membership dues so I can see yall at the ACLU mixer this late December annual winter holiday non-religious festival.
Of course I am joshing you fellows. So let me take another approach and say that I disagree with your conclusions, and find your way of thinking to be funny, but a little nutty, but show a little wisdom and use caution.
Seriously, all kidding aside, I wouldnt want anyone to get hurt or in trouble with your way of thinking, or putting yall views into action.