Taser Gun Deaths Report

From ClickToNews

1 Abstract
2 Links To Taser Death / Abuse Articles
3 Taser Studies & Research
4 Other Taser-Related Links
5 General Taser Resources

[edit] Abstract

Police have used tasers in many forms for years. The taser is intended as a non-lethal weapon, to be used by police instead of resorting to their firearm. However, it seems recently that police forces around the world have upped their usage of the Taser from a last-resort sort of measure to the first response they issue to someone they feel is disrespecting them. Anyone who doubts the increase in misuse and abuse of the Taser simply has to submit a search in any major search engire (or youtube) for 'taser' and they will discover an endless and ever growing list of overuse and abuse of tasers by police forces around the world.

[edit] Links To Taser Death / Abuse Articles

A simple search in any major news agency for taser death will bring up hundreds of stories relating to reports of taser abuse and taser deaths. This list is by no means exhaustive; if you know a story that is not listed here, feel free to add it below.

Video Shows Utah Cop Tasers Man For Speeding - The police crusier's dash board cam captured the Utah cop pulling over a minivan for allegedly speeding, ording the victim out when he questioned the cop to local speed limits, and the immediate tasering on the side of the highway, infront of the victim's pregnant wife.

Nov 20, 2007: Taser Death In Airport Video Released - The released video of Robert Dziekanski's last ten mins in the Airport before and including the RCMP approach, taser, tackle and realization that Robert Dziekanski was dead.

Nov 15, 2007: Taser video shows RCMP shocked immigrant within 25 seconds of their arrival - The recently released 10 min bystander video shows the victim for the last 10 mins of his life, including when the RCMP police arrive, confront the obviously confused foreigner, taser him almost instantly, pile on him after being tasered, and the resulting death of the victim. Orginal story: Oct 14, 2007: Man dies after Taser shock by police at Vancouver airport

Oct 29, 2007: Toronto man struck in eye by police Taser - "The male was quite agitated [and] had been drinking. The officers on scene requested a sergeant attend the scene, and after further interaction with this gentleman, the sergeant deployed the Taser. And one of the probes struck the man in the eye.… we're treating this as a serious injury"

Jan 8, 2007: Officer not guilty of assault in Taser wake-up - Crown prosecutor argued that the officer used his Taser to zap the men as if it could be used as an alarm clock, a move she called excessive force.

Sep 21, 2006: Human rights group condemns use of Taser on teen - "The members were trying to calm down the teens, but weren't able, through verbal commands, to calm down the youth... One teenage boy was combative and resistant, and the members... had to use a directed energy weapon to get him under control."

The 17-year-old boy has seven Taser marks on his lower back, and approximately six more on the front of his body, even on his groin area. He can't be identified, but told CBC the incident was terrifying.

Sep 6, 2006: Judge condemns Edmonton Officer who used Taser on teen - The officer testified that he used a Taser on the 15 year old boy, after making a threatening gesture during a strip search in police cells. The judge's ruling said that when a police officer overreaches his authority, he turns the entire judicial system upside down.

Dec 9, 2005: No charges against police in Taser death

Dec 2, 2005: Vancouver cop charged with assault - Victim claims when talking to a Police officer, the police officer grabbed him by the throat, dragged him out of public site and tasered him 3 times. -Nov 11,2007 Update: Vancouver officer accused of Taser assault on trial

N.B. police probe Taser death - Police say the six-foot-six-inch, 300-pound man was being "combative and violent," so they used a Taser to control him. The shock knocked the man unconscious. Geldart was later pronounced dead at the Moncton Hospital.

Jul 29, 2004: Mother questions Taser use on son - Police say they were trying to subdue Bagnell when he became violent. That's when the 50,000-volt shock was delivered. Bagnell stopped breathing and was pronounced dead at the scene.