Why Are Tasers safe for use by law enforcement

Are Tasers safe for use by law enforcement?

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Introduction

The topic to be addressed in this essay is: Are Tasers safe for use by law enforcement? Scholars and the press have had divergent views on Taser use by police, basing the debate on the safety of the gadgets. The arguments of both sides however have not been uniform with each side having similar as counter arguments.

Generally, the proponents of the use of Taser argue that the application of the weapons entails a major enhancement of the police and the security systems’ operations. Taser can be described as a weapon that   the police use in their operations especially to avoid shootings and scuffles with a suspect by temporarily incapacitate him or her (Bui, Sourkes & Wennberg, 2009). Scientifically, the gadget encompasses electrical stun guns which hijack a person’s muscles through electric discharges that disorient the normal functionality of the nervous system. The use of the gadget has however led to widespread debate as to their safety in relation to human health. Those who support their use cite such benefits as   high level of success rate, low deaths and safety of police and the suspects. However, those opposed to its use cite such issues as possibility of permanent incapacitation, possibility of having complications in the nervous system and likelihood of death. In the course of the debates, several controversies have emerged on the use of the stun guns. The debate around the safety of the gadgets and how they can negatively impact on life.  Those who support the taser use however cite statistical records which reveal   that the instances of physical and violent confrontation between the police and the suspects have significantly reduced with the taser use. This school of thought also has it that the gadgets limit instances of shooting thus protection the lives of the suspects in incidents that warrants bullet firing. Differently, those opposed to the use   of tasers cite instances when suspects have died moments after being tasered.

The sources to be used in the articles will be drawn from the popular media houses and newspapers publications. These media houses normally have professional view of controversial topics in a manner that gives the audience a chance weigh options presented and come to a conclusion. The information  to be used  from the  press relate  to critical reviews  of  research  outcomes, news  reports  on tarsers  use and  the related deaths. The information also covers the safety concerns that have been raised by various reports and investigations.  Such information has been obtained from the Wall Street Journal, BBC, New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today and the Washington Post.

The other sources of information will be drawn from past scholarly studies that have been carried out experts to authenticate or refute or confirm a given safety issue with regards to terser use. Such information us more reliable as they are specific and attempt to test a given empirical hypothesis through a scientific and systematic data analysis.  The scholarly articles are obtained   from academic and professional journals.

2. Section 2 – SIDE A: arguments that Tasers are Safe
   a. What scholarly articles state about the debate that Tasers are Safe?

Some popular media and leading scholars have offered varied explanations with regard to the safety of the tarsers. Based on their analyses, they have come to the conclusion that these gadgets are not only safe but also enhance the work of the police and protect the officer and the suspects.

A scholarly article entitled ‘The Taser as a Less Lethal Force Alternative’ White   (2007) suggests that the tarsers are very safe.  In the research carried out in United States, the researcher deduced that the weapons offer the best alternative to use of lethal force. Further, he established that about 85% of his subjects, suspects, were successfully incapacitated and effectively arrested by the officers without much physical confrontation or need for shooting (White, 2007).

Similarly the article Police use of conductive energy devices (tarsers) by Gergen (2007) confirms the safety of the tarsers. According to Greens, the weapons are exceptionally professional and help to guarantee the safety of the police officers from aggressive suspect, while at the same time, the risk of the suspects’ injury is kept to the minimum.  According to Gergen therefore, research has established that taser use has helped to limit the cases of deadly force use by the police. This way, many lives which could have potentially been lost have been saved. Another study by Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC’s) has also refuted the alarms and eyebrows on the use of the weapons raised by those opposed to the gadgets. Based on the research, the experts came to a conclusion that   most of the suspects who are tasered have never been exposed to or sustained serious injuries” (Police, 2009).

1. What the popular press articles state about the debate that Tasers are Safe

BBC a leading media body supports the use   of tasers as a very safe way of dealing with errant suspects. In the UK, BBC reports that there are low injury risks on taser use. The report by BBC is based on the Defense Scientific Advisory Council, study in which the   medical and health related risks of the gadget use were studied. The result showed that there is relatively very low life frightening complications / injures that come about from taser use.

On the other hand, Moroney (2007), in the article Tasers’ Risks and Benefits Aren’t Just Physical that appeared in the Wall Street Journal gives a balanced approach to the risks and benefits of the stun gun. Accordingly, the stun is reported to have reduced safety risks among the police officers. For  example, IEEE Spectrum, researcher is reported  to have noted  that terser if used well saved lives as it substitutes gunshots  on up to 25% to 30% occasions which could  warrant use  of  forces/ firing bullets. The safety of the  tasers  is also deduced in  the WSJ article where  the writer observes  that non  of the suits  which have been  filed against the gadget’s manufacturer, Taser Inc, on death  of victims, have been successfully argued.

The USA Today article, Taser sells small version for wider use by Davis (2007) evaluates the pros and cons of the weapon. On the positive note, the author reports that those who support the use of tarsers argue that ‘the devices are safe when used appropriately’.  This argument has it that the weapons are safe and   it is incumbent on the users to observe the guidelines set by the manufacturer.

3. Section 3- SIDE B arguments that Tasers are not Safe
   a. What scholarly articles state about the debate that Tasers are not safe?

In the study, Ethical Constraints on Taser Use by Police, published  by the Oxford University Press, Kleinig (2007) established  that though the taser technology is one  of the best innovative approaches  to  deal  with violent suspects, the same has potentially provide a leeway for the police  officers to abuse the suspects and disregard  their rights.  In  the  literature  review, Gergen (2007) found  out that  there are  certain challenges   that come  with the use  of tasers  thus compromising  on their safety and use. As such he deduced that the weaponry application has a combined possibility of high death of the suspects’ propensity and likelihood of suspects near fatal injuries.  Research by Amnesty International however attempts to link deaths and taser use.   The report states   that   the use of tasers are not generally safe, more so among the drug addicts. This is because shock occasioned by the gadget prompts delirium to speed up heart beat due to the stress caused (Amnesty International, 2007).

At the same time, Barbour established that taser use is not a safer means per see because of the resultant suspects’ deaths. Based  on the study The use of Taser weapons by New South Wales Police Force, he authoritatively concluded  that quite a number of suspects who had been tasered have passed on.

Another article Generalized tonic-clonic seizure after a taser shot to the head, established that safety issues relating to taser use relate not only to the electric shock that is generated but also its improper use (Bui, Sourkes & Wennberg, 2009). In the study, the authors argue  that the  most  security and police officers are ill equipped with modern skills and medical  knowledge  that is  critical  in  the use  of  the tasers. For example, the researchers cite one incident in which police officers was hit accidentally by a taser meant for a suspect, hitting his occiput.

1. What the popular press articles state about the debate that Tasers are not safe

In Wall Street Journal, Moroney (2007), notes in the article, Tasers’ Risks and Benefits Aren’t Just Physical, that there are health risks associated with taser use in relation to heart complications. According to Moroney, the report compiled by IEEE Spectrum indicated that the shock that one experiences when tasered ignites the heart beat to abnormal levels. This will interfere with the normal heart function and blood flows. Another argument presented by the media that attempts to warn against the use of tasers is that the gadget is responsible for about 30% of the deaths of those under police custody in the US alone. To substantiate the claim, the WSJ press also cites an Amnesty International report which had it that more than 150 suspects have lost   their lives after being tasered, between the years 2001 and 2005.

A New York Times press article by Berenson (2004), As Police Use of Tasers Soars, Questions over Safety Emerge, put the safety of the tarsers in question. By giving a chronology of an event in which police officers subjected escaping suspects to the gun’s shock to death.  The suspect, Mr. Lieberman, is reported as one of the over 50 suspects who are statistically known to have succumbed to taser shocks by 2004. to ensure   that the report is valid,  the reporter sought  opinion of  the taser manufacturer who clarified  the gadgets are not lethal as the suspect could  have died  due  to  drug overdose. Another critical issue with regards  to  the safety  of the weapons according to  the New York Times, is  that  the studies  to  determine their safety was neither carried  out by independent  experts nor the outcome   of the pig-subject study published in an  authoritative  scholarly  journal.

Further, the New York Times report cite biomedical engineers view  that the shocks  released from the gadgets may result into  death  of a particular  group  of people.  Quoting Wikswo from Vanderbilt University, the author argues that those who use drugs like cocaine or have suffered prolonged heart problems are lisle to die from the electric shocks. Impliedly, the biomedical engineers’ view underlines the significant risks that the police and the suspects are exposed to.

Newsweek article by Harris (2007), Electroshock Therapy, on the other hand reports   that   the tarsers may not be as safe are postulated. Citing an incident that took place at Vancouver airport, where a man of Polish origin passed on after being subjected to terser shocks, the article suggests that the use of the weapon is not only controversial but also lethal. Similarly the article reports that the UN has warned against undue use   of the gadget, describing its use as an act that “constitute a form of torture” (Harris, 2007).  To expound on the nature of safety concern, the Newsweek article reports that the terser makers has been sued in court about 102 times.  These suits relate to product liability, as the claimants cite deaths occasioned   by the gadgets as well as injuries.  However, the company has been wining each case.

4. Section 4 – Analysis
5. The language differences: popular press versus the scholarly articles

The views of the press and their presentation differ with that of the scholarly experts. The media articles mainly use journalistic language with a view to persuade their audiences to believe that the positions taken are true. As such, the press language is largely persuasive, emotionally appealing and attempts to ignite, influence, shape and control public opinion.   For example BBC attempts to make the audience know that the weapons are largely effective without giving a counter argument. On the other hand, the scholarly articles use research language   in which various variables and study problems are identified and the hypothesis or assumptions put to test. On   the other hand the scholarly articles are very specific on an issue relating to the taser use to be addressed. This doffers from the press articles which are too general and do not address the specifics.

The language use also differs in relation to sources   of data. Most of the press materials are report based, where the second person voice is used ostensibly to deal with such issues as disclaimers, balanced reporting and media freedom. On the other hand, the scholarly articles are largely written in first person voice. Put differently, the scholarly articles are written in a primary research   language where the researchers explain the research motives, data collection and the results. However, the press articles largely report the outcome of such researches. Another language difference emanates   from the fact that the some of the press use news language where the audience is infirmed about current affairs. Differently, the scholarly articles are research based where the information presented is not necessarily current. Also, the language used is purely academic and expert based, unlike the news items in the media that target a general audience.

The importance of these differences is based on the fact that   the articles target different audiences while at the same time have different aims and objectives. The press articles as they seek to inform the public on the emerging issues in technology and the impacts n the society cannot be relied upon as authoritative information sources.  As such, the  differences  in the language use in significant  for  a student who would see the emerging controversies issue and design ways and means  to establish its foundation and fundamentals through a  primary research.

b.

The topic relate to the theme of technology impact on the society.  The topic mainly relate negatively to the theme. The tasers are viewed to be a good discovery but the outcome of its use comprises the society’s health.  The negative impact of taser relates to the deaths and injures inflicted on the suspects. This negates   the role that technology should play in the society. A good technology should promote and enhance positive living while at the same time improves service delivery.

5. Section 5 – Conclusion

In my view, the use of tasers has effectively helped curb incidences of shootings and deaths. However,  it is vital  that   the  police  officers  be trained on  their use  so that  chances  of abuse are  limited. Similarly, the police   should be encouraged to limit the weapon’s use to only situations where the suspects are very violent and pose security threat to the officers. The public also need to be educated on need to avoid resisting arrest so as to minimize the use of terser and force.

Bibliography

Amnesty International   (2007). Amnesty International’s continuing concerns about Taser

use. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGAMR510302006.

Australian Police (2009). Taser. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from

http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/campaigns/taser/default.htm

Barbour, B. (2008). The use of Taser weapons by New South Wales Police Force.

Retrieved July 26, 2010, from http://www.icpra.org/home/reading_2/NSW_Ombudsman_Special_Report_on_u_e_of_Taser_2008.pdf

Berenson, A. (2004). As Police Use of Tasers Soars, Questions Over Safety Emerge.

Retrieved July 26, 2010, from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/18/us/as-police-use-of-tasers-soars-questions-over-safety-emerge.html

Moroney, R. (2007). Tasers’ Risks and Benefits Aren’t Just Physical. Retrieved July 26,

2010, from http://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/12/13/tasers-risks-

BBC (2007). More UK police to get stun guns. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6660283.stm

Bui, E., Sourkes, M. & Wennberg, R. (2009). Generalized tonic-clonic seizure after a

taser shot to the head. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2653575

Davis, R. (2007).Taser sells small version for wider use Retrieved July 26, 2010, from

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-01-08-little-taser_x.htm.

Harris, A. (2007) Electroshock Therapy. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from

http://www.newsweek.com/2007/12/15/electroshock-therapy.html

Gergen, A. (2007). Police use of conductive energy devices (tasers). Retrieved July 26,

2010, from http://www.lmc.org/media/document/1/policeuseoftasers.pdf.

Kleinig, J.  (2007). Ethical Constraints on Taser Use by Police. Oxford University Press.

Oxford Journals. 1(3):284-292.

Moroney, R. (2007). Tasers’ Risks and Benefits Aren’t Just Physical. Retrieved July 26,

2010, from http://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/12/13/tasers-risks-and-benefits-arent-just-physical/.

White, (2007). The TASER as a Less Lethal Force Alternative. Police Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 2, 170-191.

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