I am well aware that the mentally ill were armed with knives, as are the other posters, which is why I did not run through the details again. My personal opinion is that if the tasers can't be used for good (as in not killing the mentally ill) and the potential for abuse is so great, why have them?

Graham Bonnett

Those are facts.  If you consider it haraassment to bring facts to this discussion - then the problem is with you not with me.  

Madame X

They could possibly be used for that.  If you have the taser you can use them but you have to be prepared to use deadly froce, in the event it is
ineffective as it was against the female suspect a few weeks ago (see Gazette article)

I think GB is just reacting to the angry tone of the remarks. I have a lot of facts about police work at my disposal, I still hold these people's concerns as valid. We Schenectadians have had a lot of reasons to question the actions of our police department. We would be derelict in our duty as citizens if we didn't.

Madame X - I think that is why they were waiting for someone witha  taser to respond.

I hope that clarifies the point I was trying to make.  

And, I certainly agree that hopefully tasesr will be able to prevent future police involved shootings.

Let's just hope they get the training they need - and that they don't decide to use them on each other as practice.

Madame X

Thank God we live ina country that people become highly emotional and want to investigate whenevr the police shoot a citizen.  

I agree the police are the only officials who can use force and deprive liberty on behalf of the goverment, so they should be monitored to ensure they do
not abuse those powers.

Sorry, MT, but I think they do use them on each other as practice. Let's hope they don't use them recreationally outside the scope of training "as practice" maybe. But do you think we will hear about it if they start using tasers on each other just funnin' around?

Quoted from visitor

Cicero

You don't try and disarm a knife wielding suspect in close proximity with a night stick.  And, if you use pepper spray in an enclosed space it will effect everyone within that closed space.  And, it may just enrage the suspect if ineffec tive and make him lash out with the knife.  Suspect at Gazette apparently lunged at officers when they went to open door to allow officer in with taser.  

Yes, apparently, that's what happened.  I certainly wouldn't want innocent bystanders eyes to water with pepper spray in an enclosed space, instead I would prefer to unload 5 to 10 .45 rounds in an enclosed space.  Much safer option, especially if there isn't an eyewash station close by to rinse their eyes of the pepper spray.

So since the police are not the only ones who can abuse power, we shouldn't monitor them? That doesn't make sense. Maybe I'm too highly emotional
over a fellow citizen getting killed by my government. Who knew?

Here's another couple of facts:

Of the 170 sworn officers in the Schenectady Police Department, ONLY 20 are trained to use these weapons.

Again, another show of incompetence by McCarthy - you first TRAIN all officers PRIOR to getting the equipment. Because now there are tasers which can't be used and there are frustrated police officers left in the lurch. The Department has had these tasers for over a year and the City should have demanded that ALL officers are trained prior to giving the thumbs up for their use.  

Cicero

How about having the officers having to resolve the situation impacted by pepper spray?

There are approximately 140 officers. Patrol officers (100 or so are generally teh ones the acrry these as they are the ones who respond to these situations).

The equipment was on hand prior to McCarthy becoming Acting Mayor. He did not direct authority over this decision until he became Acting Mayor.

Based on the recommendation of many force experts, you issue the tasers to a select group of volunteers - then ensure the technology and policy issues can be closely monitored .  Then when this has occurred, then you issue them to other officers.  Had there been a lot of problems the City may have decided not to issue them to all officers - why train everyone prior to knowing if everyone would carry them.

It has been shown that when all officers are issued them at once - there is a tendency for mishaps.

Madam X - you misread or misunderstood my post.

Quoted from visitor

Had there been a lot of problems the City may have decided not to issue them to all officers - why train everyone prior to knowing if everyone would carry them.

It has been shown that when all officers are issued them at once - there is a tendency for mishaps.

Not quite sure about your 'tendency for mishaps' statement. BECAUSE certain officers weren't carrying tasers at the Gazette, they had to shoot a man.

My point here is, you don't buy tasers until EVERYONE is trained  - they are all on the force and they all deserve the opportunity to be using such equipment. You want the best police force - well then you treat them as such and get them the proper training and proper weapons.

Don't worry visitor, if there is a problem with tasers, there's a $300K survey which will give you the answers to that.