Posted on 2/17/2008, 11:37:19 PM by ButThreeLeftsDo
Police force will have 370 Tasers just in time for RNC.
St. Paul police are about to issue Tasers to all 370 officers on the force. Police say they are a safe way to stop a potential threat, but some people say Tasers are dangerous and sometimes deadly.
Police spokesman Tom Walsh says the Taser is stronger than a verbal order and less dangerous than a gun, especially in the case of a violent or unstable subject.
“It’s a safety issue for both the person being arrested and the officer,” Walsh said. “The bottom line is the Taser is an effective device that does not require the use of deadly force.”
Currently, 140 St. Paul police officers carry Tasers. The addition of another 230 will bring the total to 37- -- one for every officer on the force.
The 230 new Tasers will cost $210,000 -- paid for with money seized during drug raids or other special investigations. The St. Paul City Council will vote Wednesday on whether to authorize the purchase of the Tasers, which they are likely to do.
Four years ago, St. Paul police unveiled Tasers at a media event and now the Taser is in high demand. But questions about Tasers can’t escape law enforcement.
Last month, March Backlund, 29, died after being shot with a Taser in New Brighton, Minn. The exact cause of his death is still under investigation.
Scott Selmer, of the Urban League in St. Paul, believes Tasers could cause unnecessary harm if used too soon.
“Sensitivity training is critical,” Selmer said. “Have some thought that goes into any encounter (police) may have.”
Shortly after the new shipment of Tasers arrives in St. Paul, the Republican National Convention will come to town, and with it, protestors who may or may not get violent.
"Our hope is that no one will have to use any degree of force,” Walsh said. “If it becomes necessary, will that be one of the tools available to them? I suppose that's safe to say."
“St. Paul Police: Requested Tasers ‘Not For RNC’”
The St. Paul Police Department has asked the City Council for permission to buy 234 more stun guns, enough to arm every patrol officer with one.
“We have found that they are an effective way to effect an arrest without the use of deadly force,” said department spokesman Tom Walsh.
The $210,000 purchase would be financed with money from drug seizures.
Although thousands of protesters are expected in downtown St. Paul for the Republican National Convention in early September, Walsh said the proposed purchase “is in no way related. It simply isn’t.”
http://wcco.com/crime/st.paul.tasers.2.656244.html
... the slogan of the RNC protesters (wait and see)
“Don’t Taze Me Bro!”
Early and often!!
LMAO!
Doing math, that’s almost $1000 a taser.
The citizens should be in front of City Hall with pitchforks and torches.
Why don’t they issue them all SAPs too? SAPs are fun!
If they would use them instead of shooting or clubbing there would be no problem... but more and more they use them instead of talking.
While this is truly SHOCKING news, I am glad the newspaper is keeping us CURRENT on the developments. I know many Freepers will get a CHARGE out of it. I just hope no citizens or cops are involved in a case of BATTERY.
HA!
Not to mention the fun of use and the entertaining videos they provide for us to enjoy on Youtube.
I agree with some of the opponents of the taser. The tasers are NOT as safe as the police and the manufacturers claim. Too many people have died after being tased by them. And the police are way to eager to use them.
What a reVOLTing post.
:-P
And dogs.
Big, nasty, toothsome dogs.
After seeing some of the liberal “peace” protesters I think machine gun nests wouldn’t be unreasonable.
I don't think that will be enough to stop McCain and the new Republican party.
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