Police Officer Tases Seven-year-old Boy During Traffic Stop, Then Beats His Father

[Ares]

A Gretna police officer accused in a lawsuit this month of unleashing his canine on a suspect whose penis was nearly severed has been accused in another lawsuit of injuring a 7-year-old boy with his Taser, a shock intended for the boy's father who says he wrongly arrested during a traffic stop. Officer Joseph Mekdessie, Chief Arthur Lawson, the Gretna Police Department and the City of Gretna are named in the lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in New Orleans by attorneys for Marlon Bordelon Sr., and his son Marlon Bordelon Jr., who seek $325,000 in damages in the May 21 incident.

Lawson said Monday he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment, but he knew of no instances in which a child was hit with a Taser.

The Bordelons were "traveling home" when Mekdessie conducted a traffic stop and allegedly shined his flashlight in the boy's face, leading the father to question why the officer was doing it, according to the lawsuit filed by attorney Edwin Shorty Jr. The officer then asked the elder Bordelon for his license and registration, and asked him to get out of the car.

The father twice asked why he was being ordered out of the car and refused to get out, "prompting Officer Mekdessie to say, 'Don't get tased in front of your son.'"

"Mr. Bordelon then asked the officer, 'So you're just gonna tase me in front of my son?'" and again refused to get out of his car, according to the lawsuit.

When the father told his son to call his mother, Mekdessie fired his Taser, striking the man and his son. Mekdessie fired the Taser a second time at the man, causing him to fall out of the car and onto the ground, where the officer placed a stun gun to the man's neck and shocked him before putting him in handcuffs and dragging him and punched in the neck and face, according to the lawsuit.

Marlon Bordelon Jr. was taken to Children's Hospital, where a burn mark on his leg caused by the Taser was noted, according to the lawsuit. After he was released from jail on charges of battery on a police officer and traffic offenses, Bordelon Sr., was treated for a black eye and first-degree burns, according to the lawsuit.

Mekdessie "mislabeled" Bordelon's "involuntary gestations," caused by his being shocked, Bordelon alleges. Bordelon says he did nothing wrong, but that Mekdessie "sought to falsely prosecute ... and to concoct a false story against him."

The lawsuit accused Lawson and the police department of not properly training officers to use Tasers and approve their use even when there is no threat to the officer.

Mekdessie, Lawson, Officer Roland Kindell and the police department were sued Aug. 9, by Cody Melancon of Gretna, who alleges his constitutional rights were violated May 31, when Mekdessie, Kindell and other officers went to his apartment to arrest him on a warrant.

Melancon admits he initially tried to hide from the officers. But he said he surrendered, and despite complying, Mekdessie allegedly released his police canine, Zin, without cause. The dog bit at Melancon's groin area, causing extensive damage and leaving him sexually dysfunctional. Melancon seeks $31 million in damages.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/08/gretna_police_dog_cop_sued_ove.html

[mrnhtbr2232]

[Putting on my best Hal Holbrook doing Mark Twain]

Well sir - man is the supreme jackass in the universe. He thinks a deity sits up in the sky at night admiring him. He spends his time gloating over this position and making sure anyone who's not aware of it is made so. If it wasn't for his own mortality he would perpetuate this narcissism like a bull relieving itself in a field and then stepping in it because he's too stupid to tell the difference between his own shit and the other bulls. That reminds me of the time I had lunch with the chief of police.....

[Twisted Titan]

We need to get back to the days of frontier justice......

We need it desperately

[Twisted Titan]

We need to get back to the days of frontier justice......

We need it desperately

[mrnhtbr2232]

We need to get back to the days of frontier justice......

We need it desperately

But we'll never see it on a scale large enough to actually give pause to offenders. Ergo it remains an individual choice outside the system. I have no doubt when we reach near-anarchy a few malcontents missing here and there won't matter, but until their enablers are brought to task going for the low hanging fruit is just pest control.

[iOWNme]

Im still amazed the average person cannot connect - Tazer = Torture

Receiving punishment for an alleged crime. And people think this is normal. We are screwed.

[solid]

Im still amazed the average person cannot connect - Tazer = Torture

Receiving punishment for an alleged crime. And people think this is normal. We are screwed.

Tasers are designed to be used as non-lethal force, for self defense purposes. The escalation of force policies police departments use strictly state as to what that use is.

In this case, this cop was a meathead who abused that use.

[dys]

Tasers are designed to be used as non-lethal force, for self defense purposes. The escalation of force policies police departments use strictly state as to what that use is.

In this case, this cop was a meathead who abused that use.

As much as you are my friend, STFU. Tasers= torture. Period.

dys

[LuckyStrike]

Tasers are designed to be used as non-lethal force, for self defense purposes. The escalation of force policies police departments use strictly state as to what that use is.

In this case, this cop was a meathead who abused that use.

I have never seen nor heard of a taser being used as non lethal force for defense purposes. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I can't even imagine it being 1/10th of the uses. The other 9/10 of the cases the cops use it to bend someone to their will for example if they disobey a command. Which would make the majority of cases torture.

[mrnhtbr2232]

Im still amazed the average person cannot connect - Tazer = Torture

Receiving punishment for an alleged crime. And people think this is normal. We are screwed.

As torture weapons go there's a lot of R&D behind the TASER ("Thomas A. Swifts Electric Rifle" for those of you wondering what the acronym means). They were invented by a spook named John Cover (the government scientist type, not the African American). He was a nuclear physicist at China Lake.

Through a series of business and criminal events, he ended up joining forces with the Smith brothers. They took the idea and ran with it, producing the first generation "Inspiration" line in 1999. These were the M-Series using the new patented NMI technology (Neuro Muscular Incapacitation).

This generation of weapon also saw the first real gun shape-like ergonomics. In 2003 the second generation "Evolution" introduced the new Shaped Pulse System. This was a more Buck Rogers-like design with optional add-on attachments.

This year, in 2011, comes the "Revolution" line with the new X2 ECD and its cross-connect dart technology - a selectable 6-way matrix for backup shots. Housed in a lightweight and durable resin form factor, it boasts of it being "designed by law enforcement for law enforcement."

But I digress...

Sui Juris - I quoted you because you nailed it - ex judicial punishment in police custody is torture, plain and simple. As for the average person making the connection between a TASER and torture, you must remember the almost sexual gratification American culture puts on cops and robbers. In a society fast embracing ubiquitous technology solutions, electroshock weapons + John Walsh = glorified injustice. True bread and circuses at the public's expense. They won't get it because they'll be busy delighting at the suffering of others.

[solid]

I have never seen nor heard of a taser being used as non lethal force for defense purposes. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I can't even imagine it being 1/10th of the uses. The other 9/10 of the cases the cops use it to bend someone to their will for example if they disobey a command. Which would make the majority of cases torture.

I was just stating a fact, that's all. The taser is 'only' supposed to be used in self-defense situations. If not a taser, a baton which breaks what ever it hits, bones, or guns which kill.

The taser was implemented to not cause physical harm.

[po boy]

As much as you are my friend, STFU. Tasers= torture. Period.

dys

Can't you feel the love?

[BrewTech]

The taser was implemented to not cause physical harm.

Yeah, well, it CLEARLY causes harm. And when it does, cops are not punished.

I agree that the taser is nothing more than a torture device, regardless of how it was or is marketed.

[solid]

Can't you feel the love?

It's warming here, for sure. :)

There's a fine line there, between when you are welcome to post, and when you realize when you do, you just end up derailing the thread.

Sometimes it is better to just STFU and lurk, I'm learning...

[po boy]

It's warming here, for sure. :)

There's a fine line there, between when you are welcome to post, and when you realize when you do, you just end up derailing the thread.

Sometimes it is better to just STFU and lurk, I'm learning...

Post what you feel and if they can't handle it let them lurk.

BTW I'd rather be tazed than hit with a baton or shot.

[Ares]

Post what you feel and if they can't handle it let them lurk.

BTW I'd rather be tazed than hit with a baton or shot.

But with a Baton your heart doesn't get X number of volts causing it to skip or possibly stop.

Just saying. :)

[ximmy]

Post what you feel and if they can't handle it let them lurk.

BTW I'd rather be tazed than hit with a baton or shot.


yeah... much safer... ::)

August 22, 2011

496 Taser-Related Deaths in the United States Since 2001 (http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/2009/05/taser-related-deaths-in-united-states.html)


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHSs0_Tg0v4/TbbNb_AMnMI/AAAAAAAAQls/rsoDC2Y9IXI/s200/taser-StatuteLiberty.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHSs0_Tg0v4/TbbNb_AMnMI/AAAAAAAAQls/rsoDC2Y9IXI/s1600/taser-StatuteLiberty.jpg)
Today we added Joseph Lopez (Santa Barbara, CA) and Montalito McKissick(Oklahoma City, OK) as the 143rd and 145th taser-related death in America since 2009. [NOTE: the full list is shown below].
(http://www.examiner.com/christianity-culture-in-charlotte/tasers-put-on-hold-after-multiple-deaths)

http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/2009/05/taser-related-deaths-in-united-states.html

[iOWNme]

Its the entire notion that a Cop thinks he is the judge, jury and executioner. All on the side of the road. Or in public. Or in your home.

Due Process?
Signed affidavit by an injured party under oath or affirmation?
Jury Trial?
Innocent until proven guilty?


The moment you let them subvert the very system they swore an oath to uphold, it is game over.

[solid]

Yeah, well, it CLEARLY causes harm. And when it does, cops are not punished.

I agree that the taser is nothing more than a torture device, regardless of how it was or is marketed.

It was not designed to cause harm, though it apparently does in some case. It was not designed to cause harm or to torture though...

I've been tased. 50,000 volts, I'm still alive. I'm curious if any of you so called 'experts' on the taser can share your personal experiences on it...

[Ares]

It was not designed to cause harm, though it apparently does in some case. It was not designed to cause harm or to torture though...

I've been tased. 50,000 volts, I'm still alive. I'm curious if any of you so called 'experts' on the taser can share your personal experiences on it...

I've been tased, it's not fun. I survived it. But not everyone during that state in my life was running 5 miles a day, and hit the gym for strength training 3 days a week.

Everyone is different, a taser won't do shit to some people. I've seen many a cops show where a cop shoots someone with a taser and they literally pull the nodes out and just keep going. Then there are others who get zapped with 50,000 volts don't wake back up.

[willie pete]

Tasers are designed to be used as non-lethal force, for self defense purposes. The escalation of force policies police departments use strictly state as to what that use is.

In this case, this cop was a meathead who abused that use.


you smokin' crack again? ::) ....non-lethal self defense? ...is that a joke? ...Read the stats, since 2000 or so; several HUNDRED people have DIED from being tased by the police....go look on YT, there are probably hundreds of videos showing people being tased by the police, when the policeman himself was in NO physical danger .....WTF is wrong with you?

[solid]

Everyone is different, a taser won't do shit to some people. I've seen many a cops show where a cop shoots someone with a taser and they literally pull the nodes out and just keep going. Then there are others who get zapped with 50,000 volts don't wake back up.

Good point. Personally, from my experience, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Worst pain I've felt, then it was gone instantly.

I think all cops need to be tased to carry a taser, personally. I doubt the cop in the OP was ever tased. It's no joke, imo.

[solid]

you smokin' crack again? ::) ....non-lethal self defense? ...is that a joke? ...Read the stats, since 2000 or so; several HUNDRED people have DIED from being tased by the police....go look on YT, there are probably hundreds of videos showing people being tased by the police, when the policeman himself was in NO physical danger .....WTF is wrong with you?

There's nothing wrong with me, I have a right to my opinion. I see it's not popular.

I'll keep my opinions to myself, to not derail this thread.

[Ares]

There's nothing wrong with me, I have a right to my opinion. I see it's not popular.

I'll keep my opinions to myself, to not derail this thread.

Not derailment at all. As the OP I prefer the open discussion. It's how we debate as forum members. Just don't take what anyone says personally. I know I don't.

I may not agree with your opinion, but that is your opinion and not mine. We do the best we can to represent each others point of view. If someone doesn't like it. Then so what? :)

[midnight rambler]

But with a Baton your heart doesn't get X number of volts causing it to skip or possibly stop.

Just saying. :)

Death by getting bludgeoned to death with a baton is irrefutable. Death by Taser is an "oopsie, we *really* did not intend for THAT to happen - really".

[BrewTech]

It was not designed to cause harm, though it apparently does in some case. It was not designed to cause harm or to torture though...

I've been tased. 50,000 volts, I'm still alive. I'm curious if any of you so called 'experts' on the taser can share your personal experiences on it...

I've been hit by 75,000 volts from HEI distributorless ignition systems more times than I can count, and I'm still alive, but only because I'm good health. Even on the tip of your finger is enough to knock you senselesss for 10 seconds...If some sociopath decided he was going to inflict that kind of pain on me just because I didn't move quick enough, and I survived... MFer better watch his back is all I can say.

TORTURE.

[solid]

Death by getting bludgeoned to death with a baton is irrefutable. Death by Taser is an "oopsie, we *really* did not intend for THAT to happen - really".

Shouldn't the death be attributed to the actions, that caused the death? Such as pulling trigger on a taser. Can't blame the taser when a man, pulled the trigger on it.

I see your point though. It's not as if the taser 'malfunctioned' causing the death.

[midnight rambler]

Tasers are for cowardly pussies/girly-men and lesbo/womyn cops who cannot fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

[solid]

I've been hit by 75,000 volts from HEI distributorless ignition systems more times than I can count, and I'm still alive, but only because I'm good health. Even on the tip of your finger is enough to knock you senselesss for 10 seconds...If some sociopath decided he was going to inflict that kind of pain on me just because I didn't move quick enough, and I survived... MFer better watch his back is all I can say.

TORTURE.

That's the problem with the taser, is it pisses some people off. The pain is extreme, then gone. It pissed me off, they'd have to keep tasing me and that makes it a commitment.

It's not torture though, unless used to control and purposely inflict pain.

It should be used for self-defense purposes, only.

[BrewTech]

That's the problem with the taser, is it pisses some people off. The pain is extreme, then gone. It pissed me off, they'd have to keep tasing me and that makes it a commitment.

It's not torture though, unless used to control and purposely inflict pain.

It should be used for self-defense purposes, only.

#1. I'm driving down the freeway at 90mph, after a ball o'cloa and a 12 pack... a cop pulls me over. I decide I don't want to go to jail that night so I take a swing or two at the cop, and he tases me.

JUSTIFIED. (in a sense).

#2. I refuse to get out of my vehicle after being pulled over for an "incomplete stop" (or whatever) and I question the officer's motivations and legality for asking me to get out of my car. He threatens me with use of a taser. I question the legality of that. He opens my door, pulls me out and yells "stop resisting!" and tases me 4 times...

Justified?

[midnight rambler]

It's not torture though, unless used to control and purposely inflict pain.

That's PRECISELY what it's being used for the in the vast majority of cases, as in, "Do as I say (control) or I will purposely taze (inflict pain upon) you." While a tazer may not be used in every contact a cop makes, EVERYONE gets the fact that nearly all cops now carry pain compliance devices* (Tazers) on their Sam Brown.

*If 'pain compliance' is not torture, pray tell what is it?

[solid]

Justified?
[/I]

No Brew, that's not justified.

Anytime force, even control holds, must be documented when used. I don't know how these meatheads slip through the cracks. The use of a taser must be documented, ie it's a big deal. Should be handled that way at least.

[Joe King]

It should be used for self-defense purposes, only.

That's problem right there. In most cases they're not being used for self defense purposes, but rather they're being used for offensive purposes in order to force compliance of an otherwise non-threatening person.

[willie pete]

There's nothing wrong with me, I have a right to my opinion. I see it's not popular.

I'll keep my opinions to myself, to not derail this thread.


I'm not against you having an opinion contrary to most people, I will stand by my statement though; that there IS a strong probability something is really defective and wrong with an individual of that opinion; as evidenced by your statement, ......just because something is YOUR opinion doesn't make it right......Example: what if, in your opinion, you think child sex is OK? that would be your opinion, but it wouldn't make it right ::)

[iOWNme]

It was not designed to cause harm, though it apparently does in some case. It was not designed to cause harm or to torture though...

I've been tased. 50,000 volts, I'm still alive. I'm curious if any of you so called 'experts' on the taser can share your personal experiences on it...

There is that SICKO mentality again....I must call you out on it.

WTF is wrong with you? I thought you were a former LEO? Is alive all i get?

-The Government can come unlawfully invade my home, steal my private property and take me to jail. But i would still be alive, so it is ok right?
-A Cop can unlawfully pull me over, write me a bogus ticket and force me into a contract that i cant win. But i would still be alive, so its ok right?
-The Government can unlawfully hinder my right to worship as i please, using license's, registration and taxation. But i would still be alive, so its ok right?
-The Government can unlawfully put me on a list so i cannot buy a gun or fly on a plane. But i would still be alive, so that ok right?
-A Cop can unlawfully asault me if i do not 'comply' to his orders. But again assault isnt death, so i am still alive and it is ok right?


Dont you see that the Government can subvert every single Law in this damn country, AND WE WOULD ALL STILL BE ALIVE.

But would we have Liberty?

You realize Slaves are alive, right?

Liberty is NOT defined as 'being alive.' Liberty is defined as the Governments actions being restricted to only Just acts. Justice is found when the Government is restricted to doing only what we would allow another man to do. When Government can do something that you or I cant do, Government becomes oppressive, dictatorial, and you have Tyranny.

Im not sure people like you have a full understanding of history. Throughout the history of man there has been nothing but oppression, tyranny, murder and war.

To speak freely is a most cherished Right that is worth fighting and dying for. The fundamental Right to own your own private property is something that has never been done before, until this great country. The absolute Right to privacy in your papers and own affairs is something that no man has EVER enjoyed in history, with the exception of America. The Right to travel freely is a shining jewel in history that took many bloody years to achieve. The Right to Due Process in Law, BEFORE you get punishment of any kind is a valuable treasure we all must protect or we are ALL finished.

And you throw these things away like they are toilet paper.

[po boy]

There is that SICKO mentality again....I must call you out on it.


And you throw these things away like they are toilet paper.

The American people have thrown their rights and sold their children down the road for benefits of democracy and the reward is the tyranny they complain about.

[solid]

Sui, I volunteered to get tased. My 'alive' point is that the taser caused no harm to me.

From what I gather in this thread, is that you and others are using the same argument against tasers that the anti-gun folks use against guns.

Guns kill, blame the gun, etc.

Tasers kill, blame the taser, etc...same thing. A taser, like a gun, is a tool. Don't blame the tool. Blame HOW people choose to use the tool.

EDIT: Also, Suijuris, yes if tasers were used on you to keep you from harming others, as they are supposed to be used, you would be lucky if 'alive' is all you get. Tasers should be used to keep folks from harming other people, and for cops to defend themselves as well. I stand by any man's right to self-defense. IMO, if anyone trys to take the health and lives of others, they should be stopped from doing so.

[mick silver]

what scare me is the box of stuff we dont see or hear about that can be used to torture us all . i would think that by now they have all kinds of new toys to make you lay down with

[solid]

what scare me is the box of stuff we dont see or hear about that can be used to torture us all . i would think that by now they have all kinds of new toys to make you lay down with

What scares me, is all the crowd control tools they are coming up with. Like those microwave guns, sound guns, etc. They can use those to herd thousands of folks and corral them, like cattle.

[DMac]

What scares me, is all the crowd control tools they are coming up with. Like those microwave guns, sound guns, etc. They can use those to herd thousands of folks and corral them, like cattle.

By your own logic in this thread those means are justified. "Protestors" are not in compliance with assembly statutes. Therefore, they are endangering the public safety and thus should be forced to comply. The microwave heat rays or ear penetrating systems leave them alive, right? So what's the big deal?

The means are irrelevant, it is the exact same thing you are defending.

Torture for compliance.

"Don't taze me bro."

"Don't speak out of line, slave."

[solid]

By your own logic in this thread those means are justified. "Protestors" are not in compliance with assembly statutes. Therefore, they are endangering the public safety and thus should be forced to comply. The microwave heat rays or ear penetrating systems leave them alive, right? So what's the big deal?

The means are irrelevant, it is the exact same thing you are defending.

Torture for compliance.

"Don't taze me bro."

"Don't speak out of line, slave."

I guess I need to say this again...tasers are designed to be used in self-defense situations. A taser is a close contact tool (within 10 feet or so), you can only tase one person, ie the 'threat'. A threat that is within close contact of hurting you or others. Self-defense is not torture.

Crowd control tools are used against many people, from far distances, that may or may not be threats to safety. That is what is scary about them.

A taser is a feather duster in comparison...

So, are you anti-gun? I'd like to know why everyone blames the taser just like the anti-gun folks blame guns?

[solid]

You know what pisses me off, is how out of whack everything is..

Say, a guy breaks into my home and is a threat to my safety. I shoot him, he's dead, end of story.

Say, I tase him instead. Then he's alive, can sue my ass off...can testify how 'horrible' it was getting tased, play the victim, everyone hates tasers, so he wins the lawsuit. Etc.

Exact reason why I wouldn't want a taser. Just shoot the threat.

[solid]

So, are you anti-gun? I'd like to know why everyone blames the taser just like the anti-gun folks blame guns?

Anyone care to answer this question?

I'll offer a couple of suggestions, instead of blaming the tool, blame the person using it for unjust or tyranical reasons. 1) Hold cops accountable for their actions with taser use. It's their choice to carry it, it's a responsiblity and they need to be accountable for it's use. 2) Better taser training. More training on correct self-defense use, means less taser trigger happy cops out there.

[ximmy]

tasers are promoted as non-lethal weapons when in fact, they are lethal...

[DMac]

Anyone care to answer this question?

I'll offer a couple of suggestions, instead of blaming the tool, blame the person using it for unjust or tyranical reasons. 1) Hold cops accountable for their actions with taser use. It's their choice to carry it, it's a responsiblity and they need to be accountable for it's use. 2) Better taser training. More training on correct self-defense use, means less taser trigger happy cops out there.

I want that tool removed from the irresponsible hands that are using it.

And no I am not anti-gun. An armed society is a polite society. If I find a LEO threatening, and I tase him, will I be up for charges of assault or attempted murder? Will I be free to go, since he is "alive"?

Rhetorical question.


Torture for compliance.

"Don't taze me bro."

"Don't speak out of line, slave."

Whatever the supposed intentions, this is how they are being used! Torture for compliance.

Are you willfully blind? Cognitive dissonance.

[solid]

tasers are promoted as non-lethal weapons when in fact, they are lethal...

The taser training I went through was short, a 2 hour crash course, just to understand it's capabilities and it's use.

We were told tasers were less-lethal force, not non-lethal force. For this reason, they were higher up on the escalation of force policies the dept. had.

[solid]

Here's a good article with statistics on taser use.

http://www.nij.gov/journals/267/use-of-force.htm#note4

Here's a quote (backed up by previous stats) "Although both pepper spray and CEDs cause pain, they reduce injuries; and, according to current medical research, death or serious harm associated with their use is rare."

[Joe King]

I guess I need to say this again...tasers are designed to be used in self-defense situations. A taser is a close contact tool (within 10 feet or so), you can only tase one person, ie the 'threat'. A threat that is within close contact of hurting you or others. Self-defense is not torture.

Solid, no one here is saying that a cop, or anyone else should not be able to defend themselves from attack. Quite the opposite, actually.

The point is that most of the time they are not being used as defensive weapons, but rather as a cattle prod like device in order to get the response they want from an otherwise non-threatening person.

The way I understood they were to be used was in situations when the alternative was a gun but the cop didn't actually want to resort to that.
ie one step below shooting someone.

Now it seems they pull out the tazer for the least little thing.

[MNeagle]

Also, it seems as if the tech for tasers has ramped up in the last years. How long ago was your taser experience Solid? I suspect much has changed over the years.

[solid]

Also, it seems as if the tech for tasers has ramped up in the last years. How long ago was your taser experience Solid? I suspect much has changed over the years.

Perhaps so, it's been about 5 years. The training was very basic, as I was not going to be carrying one. They went through what types of situations it was to be used, that it was less-lethal, and should only be used in situations very close to warranting the use of a firearm..ie, serious life threatening/injuring situations.

They asked for volunteers, so I volunteered. They had me lie on my stomach, arms stretched, face down. They attached one prong to my upper back, one to my lower back so the volts would go through my spinal column I assume.

Longest 3 seconds of my life actually. Every part of your body is screaming pain, your whole existance is pain actually. Every muscle locks up, you have no control over anything. As soon as they stop the voltage, the pain is gone instantly leaving you thinking whoa...Still, I wouldn't wish that on anyone actually.

I think every officer that carry's a taser, needs to be tased to know what it's like. I know my old dept we experienced most everything, tear gas. Pepper spray, we had to hold our eye open while they sprayed it right in. That felt like your eyeball was on fire, that really sucked too. However, it makes you think before using in anyone. Thankfully, I never had to spray anyone in my short time on duty.

[solid]

The point is that most of the time they are not being used as defensive weapons, but rather as a cattle prod like device in order to get the response they want from an otherwise non-threatening person. .

Joe, I agree with you exept for this. I don't believe that 'most' of the time, tasers are used that way. I think it's in the small minority of times, by either cops unable to control themselves, or the situation, or just tyranical cops.

Did you read that article I posted? That showed a study that indicates that injuries, to both cops and suspects, decreases when tasers are used when necessary.