Tasers Don’t Reduce Shootings, Despite Police and Politicians’ Claims

[babylonsister]

Tasers Don’t Reduce Shootings, Despite Police and Politicians’ Claims


Despite claims by politicians and some police officers that Tasers would save lives by preventing shootings, the devices that are being used by a growing number of police forces were never meant as an alternative to guns, experts say.1217 03

Statistics obtained by the Canadian Press bear out that idea, showing that in some of the cities that have recently adopted Tasers, the number of police shootings has remained fairly consistent and low, while Tasers are being used exponentially more often.

In Winnipeg, for example, police shootings of suspects are rare. There was one in 2003, and none in 2004. In 2006, the Winnipeg Police Service fired guns on suspects twice. They also started using Tasers in September of that year, firing them at individuals 37 times before the year was out.

“Tasers are not meant to replace firearms,” Cst. Adam Cheadle, the service’s use of force co-ordinator, said in a recent interview.

“The Taser is on the same playing field as a baton or {pepper} spray.”

In Calgary, there was only one officer-involved shooting in 2003 - two years before Tasers were introduced - and none in 2007. So far this year, Calgary police have “deployed” (a term that includes any incident where the machine is unholstered and its laser is activated, even if it ends up not being fired) their Tasers 133 times.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/17/5868/

[Sanctified]

1. Probably not shootings but I would bet that baton beatings are down. n/t

[kurth]

2. Tasers help reduce hand and wrist injuries

from usage of truncheons, clubs, batons, fists, etc.

"Look Ma, no hands!"