And she did ABSolutely nothing to earn his respect. Just being old doesn't earn respect. Maybe it has a little weight, but she threw it out the window the minute she was disrespectful and acting the way she did to the cop. She may not pay of his salary. Too many assumptions being made and too much credit being given to a woman just because she's old. Not enough similar "random credit" being given to a guy because he's a cop, if you're going to go the route of "random credit for being _______ "
Wrong and wrong. You don't apply the same techniques for everyone. It's not black and white. 88 year old man shooting up joints are one offs. They are not the common things. Theoretically this 72 year old woman could have been carrying a shank and slit his throat, but those situations are not the norm. You don't treat this woman the same way you would a gang banger.
Actually, depending on the jurisdictions rules, the taser can be used as a physical compliance device to be used in the alternative to the baton or other means of physical confrontation. I don't know where you are getting this idea that it is a tool that can only be used as a last line of defense. In many departments it can be used any time a person is physically combative or is displaying aggressive tendencies. Now, whether it should be used only as a last line of defense, and not as a physical compliance tool, is an entire argument on its own.
Possibly so but later on he could've had back up to better contain the situation. Obviously cops chase perps but how they go about it has to be weighed with the risk of the situation. Every situation has to be weighed and I know from training with police that threat assessment is taught to them. Your actions might represent far more of a threat than a 72 year old granny might. In this case its highly questionable the granny represented much of a threat to the officer.
Oh, come on.... I guess by your "logic" anyone who pays taxes should never get a ticket or be arrested for anything. What a great society that would be...
Agreed that every situation has to be weighed. But a cop is making a decision while on the side of the road and in the middle of what should always be considered a dangerous moment. It's a little different from watching the video. I am ok with his threat assessment, though as many have said, I think a lot of it had to do with subduing her while keeping the chances low of an altercation involving motion (with the potential of the cars on the street) and of an altercation involving broken brittle bones of an old woman.
No, she deserved the ticket, but he needs to learn how to handle situations properly. I mean seriously, tasering is WAY overeacting to the situation. Take it down, talk to her, explain that she has to sign the ticket or he will have no choice but to arrest her, and he would rather not have to do that. A lot of cops have that "Everyone is a perp" attitude......they need more training. DD
When she starts walking back to her car, would you suggest he continue to say that and do nothing? How about while she's driving away? If he had pushed her to the ground, you would have said the same thing. He was trying to keep her from freaking leaving.. SHE needs to learn how to handle situations properly
I concede that I'm getting a bit carried away here. Violence and disobedience are not the same. What I should have been articulating is that disobeying an order most certainly will escalate an encounter with police to violence.
I've noticed that a lot of the folks who are quick to call 'police brutality' often do so in every one of these cases. Every time one of these threads come up it's like clockwork you can tell who is going to point the finger at the cops. It's weird. (and I'm not talking about just this board either. ) I know there are some bad cops out there. Im not saying that isnt true at all But I'll never understand those folks who really have it out for the police.
It's call being a smart cop. A qualify cops would handle the situation smoothly instead of instigating and escalating the situation that will put himself or others in danger. There are situation where you need to be aggressive and where others you need back off a bit instead of risking your life. It's like a guy who ran a red light so that cop chase after him in a busy downtown and he doesn't stop. So the cops managed to take down his license plate but instead letting go they stubbornly continued to chase after the guy in a busy street and instigate the problem even further making him speed to get away from them. So now the cops escalate the situation where they endanger themselves and others.
honestly. Judging by this thread and various others I learn several things 1. Cops ALWAYS get an INCREDIBLE amount of Benefit of the doubt. 2. Cops generally do no wrong 3. We are definately moving toward a Police state. Seriously, Cops seem to be BEYOND Question, Beyond reproach. 4. Since cops got the 'authoritah', the guns, the tasers . . . you *have* to obey them . . . Several folx have said in this thread. . .you just don't buck up to a cop cause they have guns, tasers, etc . . . . Guess what folx. . THIS IS WHY THE 2nd AMENDMENT was created. People b*tch and say we need more gun control. The Opposition says If they ban guns. . only criminals will have them. . . WELL the reality is . . ONLY CRIMINALS AND COPS WILL HAVE THEM and honestly. . . I don't think EITHER of them are beyond abusing that position. No one can tell me this cop felt threatened or in fear for his life. He chose EXPEDIENCE over Safety, common sense and calm. He could have seriously talked her down. When she b*tchily said. . gimmie the ticket I will sign it. . he could have took the signature and everyone walked away . . and saw her in court .. but the reality is. . SHE BUCKED HIM . .and HE DIDN'T LIKE IT . . so he showed that old Broad who is boss. He had already decided he was 'Going to Teach her a lesson and take her to jail by then". she kept bucking him. He got more irratated and taught her a REAL lesson and Tased her. IMO - HIS EMOTIONS got out of hand every bit as much as hers did. Guess what, I hold him to a higher standard because. . HE IS THE FRICKING PROFESSIONAL in this situation. Rocket River
