Taser the Debate on the

¶ … Taser The debate on the use of Tasers The pros of using TASER The cons of Taser In this paper, we debate on the pros and cons of using Taser in law enforcement. An analysis of the reasons for using Tasers as well as the situations of when and where it cannot be used is presented.The reasons as to why the benefits of Tasers outweigh its disadvantages is presented. A recommendation on the best ways of using Tasers is also presented. A conclusion is also presented.

A TASER devise is a conducted energy weapon used to temporarily stun as well as incapacitate an individual by affecting their neuromuscular transmission (Mungus,2008,p.862).The very first Taser was introduced in the early 1970s and have since undergone modification to the 'third generation' device that we see today. The newer versions are noted to operate at close to 14 W. with a delivery of a peak arching voltage of close to 50,000V.If shot with the Tasers, the subject losses neuromuscular control immediately causing them to be incapacitated (Mungus,2008).

The need for TASERs The use of physical force has been noted to lead to unnecessary injury to the officer as well as to the subject that the officer is attempting to arrest/subdue. The probability of the subject not being subdues also exists since it depends on the kind of physical force used. The remaining option is the use of firearm in subduing the subject. This has been shown to lead to serious injuries and even death.

The dangerous nature of some of these options is what leads to the adoption of TASER. DeLone and Thomson (2009,p.414)pointed out that Tasers just like any other devices such as nuclear weapons, fireworks, haloperidol and even household items like scissors can be extremely dangerous in the hands of an untrained individual. The widespread use of Tasers in the U.S. were as a result of these safety concerns. The argument is that Tasers deliver electrical shock which effectively debilitates the subject without any fear of long-term effects (May, 2004).

Definition of a Taser Taser is defined by the Fraternal Order of Police (2004) as a weapon which fires two conductive probes at a given subject. The probes of which are connected to an insulated wire that is wired back to the device. The device delivers a very brief but very debilitating electric shock in the region of contact with the body. If hit properly, the subject is effectively stunned in an instant and is then unable to execute any form of a coordinated action for a short while.

Sekhar (2003) pointed out that tasers can be deployed from a distance and thereby reducing the dangers associated with physical contact between the officer and the subject. The work of White and Ready (2007) indicated that there is very little empirical studies on the usage of Tasers by the law enforcement agencies. The effectiveness of Tasers is therefore not easy to gauge since most of the police departments are never large.

The debate on the use of Tasers Several people have questioned the use of Taser as an effective tool for responding to situations of noncomplex non-compliance. Its use in non-compliance situations that are simple definitely opens doors to several potential lawsuits for the various law enforcement agencies as pointed out by Hougland et al. (2005). Even though Tasers are considered to be 'less lethal' firearms than the traditional ones, their uses are indicated by Hubbs & Klinger (2004) to be lethal in certain cases.

The use of the 'less-lethal' TASERs and ammunitions can lead to an escalation of a situation which typically is already aggravated into one that is lethal. Hubbs & Klinger (2004) pointed out that their usage can lead to lethal injuries to the subject, a situation which was never intended by the affected officer (Hubbs & Klinger, 2004). The advent in technology has lead officers to have access to a wide array of less lethal weapons.

The Tasers were invented by John Cover in the early 1960s as a response to a federal government report that was authorized by President Johnson that effectively encouraged the use of technology in subduing violet suspects by non-lethal means (Angelosanto,2003). The word 'TASER' is an acronym for a 'Thomas A. Swift Electrical Ri+fle'.This is fictional and is derived from Tom Swifts children's books (fantasy-based book).The devices are manufactured currently by TASER International (GAO,2005). GAO (2005) approximates that close to 7,000 of U.S.

government's 18,000 agencies (law enforcement) have adopted the use of TASERs. The devices are classified by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as form of firearms. They ownership as well as possession are however treated in a similar manner as handguns. It is worth noting that the TASER gun does not require skin contact for it to be deployed effectively. Mesloh, Henych, & Wolf (2008) have cited case where TASERS fail to deploy as a consequence of suspect adorning thick and dense clothing.

GAO (2005) indicate that contact with a person's normal skin is usually sufficient for the effective deployment of TASER (Kroll,2008). The pros of using TASER TASERs were introduced into the normal operation of law enforcement agencies in order to provide the officers with options that they can employ in circumstances that would otherwise warrant the use of lethal force. Taser has therefore been considered a weapon that could save lives (Castro,2007) in situations that the lethal weapons are generally considered to be best.

One of the main advantages of Tasers when compared to other less lethal weapons such as OC spray and baton is that when it is used in the probe mode, it never relies on pain in the obtaining of an individual's compliance. The implication of this is that a person who regards himself or herself to be impervious to pain and/or demonstrates some extraordinary strength due to factors like mental illness or even intoxication should effectively be incapacitated using Taser for the sake restraining them.

This is a result of the effects of the weapon on the central nervous system. The other advantage of Taser is pegged on the fact that as a weapon, it can be deployed at a distance of a few to several meters. This therefore eliminates the needs and dangers of police engaging in close combat with a suspect until the person has been successfully incapacitated by the high electrical current or when they are willing to cooperate.

The implication of this is that there will be less likely likelihood of the police officer being injured in the course of arresting an uncooperative suspect (Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner,2005,p.26). This may be factor in the fact that several police reports have indicated a general reduction in the number of cases in which force is used by the police. For instance, in the U.S.

Orange County Sheriff's Office reported close to 50% reduction in the number of police injuries after the intriooduction of Tasers (Hougland, Mesloh, and Henych,2005,p. 28). In the U.K the police have reported that after the introduction of Taser trials in certain areas, there has been close to a 41% decrease in the days that are lost to police as a result of assault and other forms of associated injuries (Hutchison,2008).

In Ventura County, California, USA, there was a report of about 72% decrease in the number of injuries in the initial year in which the officers were equipped with Tasers (Schiebe,2008). There have however been some conflicting reports such as the independent risk assessment which was commissioned by the NSW Police Force which indicated that the issuing of CED to police stations has in manner caused an increase in the number of police assaults.

This is rather conflicting with the report by Police Union that claimed that ever since the Tasers were introduced, there has been a reduction in the number of police assaults by halve (Australian Broadcasting Corporation,2007). The other advantage of Taser as compared to other weapons that are non-lethal. Once the electrical charge is withdrawn, the person never feels any pain. The cons of Taser There are a number of disadvantages attributed to the use of tasers. Tasers suffer from a number of operational limitations.

For instance it cannot be effective against a suspect who is wielding a firearm. This is because should the Taser fail, then the life of the officers can be put at risk. In addition, should the Taser charge be effective then the suspect suffers an abrupt electric shock, the subsequent involuntary muscle movements could lead to the individual involuntarily discharging the weapon. The Teaser is also not a good weapon to discharge in the proximity of flammable substances.

This is due to the sparks that are produced by the Taser which could ignite the flammable substance and hence causing fire. Tasers should also never be used in conjunction with the inflammable aerosol sprays (Sturcke, and Ryan,2005).It shousdl also nvere be used if the suspect is a potential suicide bomber.This is due to the level of incredible risk that may result should the bomb detonate (BBC,2005).

Tasers can also not be used in the diffusion of tension as well as quelling anti- social behavior in case of large crowds of individuals who are present in demonstrations and riots (NSW Police Association,2007). Discussions A review of literature indicates that there are more benefits to the use of Tasers as compared to the disadvantages. This is because Tasers enhance the level of officer and suspect safety. This is because they generally reduce the use of 'live' firearms.

The other benefit of Tasers is that they can be discharge from a distance thereby decreasing the amount of physical force that an officer may use on a suspect.As Sekhar (2003) puts it, "The gun fires a dart from up to 21 feet away that secures itself to the person's skin or clothing.." Other deterrents such as the pepper spray are note dto cause injuries to the victim and the officers themselves. They also have no effect on intoxicated individuals. This therefore leaves taser as the best alternative.

A report by the Taser International Certification Lesson Plan (2000) indicate that the use of firearms by the police officers has reduced and therefore caused a reduction in the number of deaths.Tasers therefore presents a unique level of officer and suspect safety that cannot be achieved by any other deterrents. The outhit benefits of Taser is that it effectively incapacitates the suspect with little or no injury to the subject and officer. Taser International Certification Lesson Plan (2000) pointed out that the.