https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/25083507/tasers-regularly-used-during-act-arrests-in-mental-health-cases/

"Tasers are regularly used during arrests in the ACT which involve people with mental health issues, according to documents obtained by the ABC.

Last week police Tasered a man allegedly attacking them with fire bombs near Canberra Airport.

A series of documents obtained by the ABC under Freedom of Information show police have been drawing, aiming and sometimes firing Tasers more often in cases involving people with mental health issues.

There were 11 Taser incidents between January and May 7 this year and at least eight involved a person with a confirmed or suspected mental illness.

In February a police officer Tasered a man with an apparent mental health disorder during an arrest.

In his report on the incident the officer called for Tasers to be issued beyond frontline sergeants.

He argued arming senior constables and acting sergeants would reduce the likelihood of using lethal force during arrests.

"The Taser CEW was an effective tool in the resolution of this incident. However, at this time, they are restricted to substantive sergeants only."

You would prefer Rule 303?

tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance.

Excuse me, before i taser your arse, i need to ask some questions - no don't shoot yet these questions are important...

"Do you have a mental illness?"

Bit o' shock treatment's good for 'em...

Don't get me wrong, I love a crim getting volts. At the same time, what happened to the night stick?

ian wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2014 at 10:56am:

tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance.

Tasers should require the same standards as firearms. That is what the manufacturer recommends, they are not designed to be a compliance tool.

Seriously this is probably the best weapon for the coppers to use when dealing with aggressive people with mental problems.

The aim I think is to subdue them without serious injury!

Well done coppers!

Kytro wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2014 at 7:12pm:

ian wrote on Sep 23rd, 2014 at 10:56am: tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance. Tasers should require the same standards as firearms. That is what the manufacturer recommends, they are not designed to be a compliance tool.

I agree. Tasers are firearms, and should be treated as such. Firearms are defined as:

Quote:

Firearms Act 1978, s4:       firearm includes any lethal firearm and any other weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged or propelled or which, by any alteration in the construction or fabric thereof, can be made capable of discharging or propelling any shot, bullet or other missile, ... (blah blah)

Having said that though, police are shot with said tasers in training so they do know that it is unimaginably painful to get tagged with one. Also, given the choice, would you rather be snuffed or zapped? Tasers are certainly a boon for modern policing, but should only be allowed when lethal force would otherwise be allowed - in life-threatening situations. Certainly never as compliance tools.

ian wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2014 at 10:56am:

tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance.

I think you'll find that OC Spray (Pepper Spray) or CS Spray is used as a defensive weapon much more than a Taser. As for a defensive weapon used instead of a firearm, making for lazy policing you're talking shite. Pepper Spray and Tasers are only used in situations where the offender needs to be controlled when the risk to the officer/s and the public is considerable.

George - you are stuck in theory.  I have posted the specific rules for the use of tasers.. these are not the general rule on the ground for their use.  Same with sprays - what was intended to be and is shown in training as a weapon of last defence becomes the weapon of first resort.

As a security guy in many situations (and you may be surprised at my military and other affiliations)  I pursue the policy of non-confrontation and of minimum force.  Unless a person is a clear and present danger, there is no need to use any of these weapons.  Those I work with to this day are aware of that.... I follow a genuine hearts and minds campaign.... and it has been very successful.

MOST police are far too ready to use violence and rely on the protection of the 'law' in doing so.

That said - I have myself given support to police in several situations........ including real and present danger and protection/support of injured officers....

George_Orhell wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2014 at 7:32pm:

ian wrote on Sep 23rd, 2014 at 10:56am: tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance. I think you'll find that OC Spray (Pepper Spray) or CS Spray is used as a defensive weapon much more than a Taser.

no. its not


Quote:

As for a defensive weapon used instead of a firearm, making for lazy policing you're talking shite. Pepper Spray and Tasers are only used in situations where the offender needs to be controlled when the risk to the officer/s and the public is considerable.

rubbish

Kytro wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2014 at 7:12pm:

ian wrote on Sep 23rd, 2014 at 10:56am: tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance. Tasers should require the same standards as firearms. That is what the manufacturer recommends, they are not designed to be a compliance tool.

That being not showing unless using!

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Sep 24^th, 2014 at 7:40am:

Kytro wrote on Sep 23rd, 2014 at 7:12pm: ian wrote on Sep 23rd, 2014 at 10:56am: tasers make for lazy policing. They should be withdrawn completly. As far as a taser being used against a person attacking police with fire bombs, Im calling BS on that one. The taser is now most commonly used as a weapon to enforce compliance. Tasers should require the same standards as firearms. That is what the manufacturer recommends, they are not designed to be a compliance tool. That being not showing unless using!

And only using when absolutely necessary.

So dipsticks, was the two officers who were stabbed yesterday lazy? They used force to defend themselves from an unprovoked attack.

And Pissant, you would be surprised at the experience I have in that area, and I don't mean a wannabe, e.g. a security guard etc.

George_Orhell wrote on Sep 24^th, 2014 at 10:37am:

So dipsticks, was the two officers who were stabbed yesterday lazy? They used force to defend themselves from an unprovoked attack. And Pissant, you would be surprised at the experience I have in that area, and I don't mean a wannabe, e.g. a security guard etc.

And yesterday's events are a perfect example of using reasonable force. It's the only kind of force police are allowed to use. Anything else is both a criminal offence and a tortious act.

Oh please, do enlighten us. It may be a bit early for bedtime stories, but I'm sure it'll be absolutely riveting.

King FriYAY II wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2014 at 11:00am:

Excuse me, before i taser your arse, i need to ask some questions - no don't shoot yet these questions are important... "Do you have a mental illness?"

[smiley=grin.gif]

George_Orhell wrote on Sep 24^th, 2014 at 10:37am:

So dipsticks, was the two officers who were stabbed yesterday lazy? They used force to defend themselves from an unprovoked attack. And Pissant, you would be surprised at the experience I have in that area, and I don't mean a wannabe, e.g. a security guard etc.

.. and the connection with tasering mentally ill people in Canberra is???

Like many here you resort to the one-off incident of genuine violence to justify all situations.  It's not on, George.

Ha, ha.. security guard was a late addition, George... and I don't do pissing contests.  That should give you a clue.

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Sep 24^th, 2014 at 10:59am:

George_Orhell wrote on Sep 24th, 2014 at 10:37am: So dipsticks, was the two officers who were stabbed yesterday lazy? They used force to defend themselves from an unprovoked attack. And Pissant, you would be surprised at the experience I have in that area, and I don't mean a wannabe, e.g. a security guard etc. .. and the connection with tasering mentally ill people in Canberra is??? Like many here you resort to the one-off incident of genuine violence to justify all situations.  It's not on, George. Ha, ha.. security guard was a late addition, George... and I don't do pissing contests.  That should give you a clue.

Ooh, intriguing. Oh. I think I get it. Guys.... Grappler shot JFK! He then came back and blasted bin Laden's bearded buttocks back into the bugger's brain. Bam.

..................