The Taser: a life-saver that takes too many lives
I feel sorry for Lieutenant Michael W. Pigott of the NYPD, but I feel sorrier for Iman Morales, the disturbed man who plunged to his death from a ledge after being Tasered at Pigott's orders -- apparently in violation of department policy. Remorseful and fearful of bringing disgrace on his family, Pigott took his own life just hours before Morales's funeral.
Intended to save lives, and with the potential to do just that as a less-lethal weapon that can be deployed in situations that would otherwise require the use of firearms, the Taser too often suffers from mission-creep. Instead of being used as a replacement for a gun, it too often becomes a hammer in a world full of nails, deployed in inappropriate circumstances that suddenly, through the introduction of thousands of volts, become lethal.
A suicidal man perched on a ledge is just such an inappropriate circumstance.
Amnesty International tracks the use and abuse of Tasers, saying:
Since June 2001, more than 320 individuals in the United States have died after being shocked by police TASERs. Most of those individuals were not carrying a weapon. Amnesty International is concerned that TASERs are being used as tools of routine force -- rather than as an alternative to firearms. ...
No study has adequately examined the impact of TASERs on potentially at-risk individuals -- people who have medical conditions, take prescription medications, are mentally ill or are under the influence of narcotics. Rigorous, independent, impartial study of their use and effects is urgently needed to determine what role TASERs may have played in the 320 deaths and to determine appropriate guidelines for future TASER use.
The Taser may well have an important role to play -- if it's used instead of a gun. But, if it continues to be the go-to tool for any confrontation, we're going to see more tragic cases like the one that ended the lives of Iman Morales and Michael Pigott.
And then we'll have to decide if we want police using Tasers at all.
Comments
Yup, sometimes only the deadly force of a firearm is the right way to deal with thugs.
Yup, sometimes only the deadly force of a firearm is the right way to deal with thugs.
Something that needs to be said is in this instance, that officer did what he had to do. If he physically laid hands on this man or charged him, Would he have decided to jump? Either way the officer would have been the so called BAD guy here. If he did apprehend the man by physically force then the man could have suffered physically injury which would have caused the public to say that the officer used too much force. Whats the line "Another citizen was beaten by a police officer" Give it a break already. Consider that these officers are human. If you are one of the ones that always jump at the chance to judge them then you should put yourself in their shoes for one night. While you trying to protect the community and trying to make a split second decision, while still protecting yourself, so that your family doesn't have to live without a dad and a husband. Something else to keep in mind, is if these citizen weren’t doing anything wrong, they would have never come in contact with an on duty police officer. My husband is a police officer and I have laid in bed many sleepless nights hoping that my husband isn't killed in the line of duty. If he did make the ultimate sacrifice no one even appreciates their efforts. I challenge you to put yourself in a situation where someone is wanting to fight you or has pulled a gun on your and I will give you a second to react, “A literally second”, and tell me what you would do. Its easy to take 10 minutes to review a situation and state what should have been done or what would have been better but all they have is a second to make a choice or they are DEAD!!!!!! Consider all aspects before you JUDGE someone or a situation that you really have no idea what its about.
Don't Tase Me Bro!
(even though I deserved it!)
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!