Posted on 2/19/2008, 3:59:27 PM by SmithL
More than 450 police departments in California have equipped their officers with Tasers.
Berkeley isn't one of them.
But in the aftermath of a deadly shooting of a South Berkeley woman by a Berkeley police officer, city leaders said they may rethink their ban on the weapons.
"It's too bad that our police don't have other methods to subdue people," Councilwoman Betty Olds said.
Anita Gay, 51, was fatally shot by officer Rashawn Cummings outside her home in the 1700 block of Ward Street about 8 p.m. Saturday after police say she brandished a kitchen knife at an officer and family members. She died at the scene. Witnesses say she was shot in the back but police officials say they are awaiting an autopsy report from the Alameda County Coroner's Office, expected later this week, before releasing details.
The officer fired at least twice, police spokeswoman Sgt. Mary Kusmiss said.
Based on a preliminary investigation, after reviewing three witness statements and the statement of the officer, Kusmiss said Monday "it appears the officer's actions were justified."
The officer, who has been on the force for five years, is on paid administrative leave while internal affairs conducts an investigation, which could take a week or longer.
As family members and friends grieve Gay's death, and Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris prepares to file a wrongful death suit, there is no doubt subduing Gay with a Taser stun gun could have saved her life.
Some models of the electroshock weapon can deliver a 50,000-volt jolt from 25 feet away, effectively subduing a person by disrupting superficial muscle functions, but generally not killing them.
Many Bay Area police departments, including San Jose, Oakland, Fremont and Union City, have Tasers as part of their arsenal.
Harry Stern, an attorney with Rains, Lucia Stern, which represents the police union, said the city's Police Officers Association has asked for Tasers for years.
But Tasers have their fair share of critics.
According to Amnesty International, from June 2001 to June 2007, 245 people died in the United States after being shot with a Taser. Several of those Taser-related deaths were in the Bay Area.
Oakland civil rights attorney Jim Chanin, who served on the Berkeley Police Review Commission in the 1970s, said Tasers can be an effective tool but they need to come with training.
Chanin said with the right training and limited uses, "I have no problem with it. When it becomes a substitute for verbal persuasion then I do have a problem with it."
Interesting that it took Berkeley so long to think this thru. Maybe they should have a similar epiphany with Islam.
Hate crime.
Note to Anita.....don't pull a knife on a cop.
NUKE BEREKLEY!!!
I'm surprised he didn't empty the gun two are three times.
Actually, these pacifist idiots will probably just disarm the cops completely.
And Marines!
If she was running at a family member or another officer and the cop had to shoot to protect them what difference does it make where the cop stood when he/she fired?
The people of Berkely are such a waste of human protoplasm.
You go swinging around a knife in front of a police officer, lead poisoning is a distinct and immediate possibility.
The new model with built-in .mp3 player might be a bit heavier. Just imagine if the assembly line crossed the wires. Plug in your headphones and BZZZZZzzzzzap!
Yes, there’s something to be said for not bringing a knife to a gun fight.
I’m just surprised anyone would be stupid enough to be a cop in Berkeley.
Perhaps they are all masochists.
I believe there is video of this shoot. She charges the officers who tried their best to retreat. Looked to me like she needed killing. Why waste the electricity?
Liberals are ALWAYS on the wrong side of history.
why would you want to put up a taser gun against a knife?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.