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Use of taser in america
Use of taser in america
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Taser Technology
For years law enforcement has been searching for more effective less lethal options to apprehend suspects. One of the newest technologies available is the Taser, also known by industry standards as an electronic controlled device (ECD). The Taser uses electricity to override the central nervous system, an effect referred to as “neuro-muscular incapacitation (NMI), to cause temporary incapacitation to allow officers to gain control of a subject.
Electronic controlled devices basically use high voltage, low wattage electrical charges to induce involuntary muscle contractions that cause a subject to be temporarily incapacitated. The weapon system is designed to fire two probes, or darts, that are attached to insulated wires. When the probes make contact with a person, the Taser will produce 50,000 volts of electricity, but only .0021 amps. According to Taser International, Inc. “it is not the volts that are dangerous it is the amps.” Volts are simply the rate the electricity is moving, but amps are the measure of current in the electricity. Taser International (2006)
In 1993, two brothers, Rick and Tom Smith along, with Taser inventor Jack Cover, began working together on a non-lethal self-defense device. In 1994, they developed a non-firearm version of the Taser. This original Taser was known as a “stun” system, which used electricity to jam the central nervous system with electrical noise. This system used approximately five to fifteen watts of power and was more of a pain compliance device rather than overriding the central nervous system.
Two serious issues occurred with these “stun” systems: The officer had to be up close to make contact with the subject; and since it was a pain compliance device...
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... Batons also tear skin, break bones and require officers to get up close to subjects to apprehend them. The Taser has a more effective rate than other less lethal options with less chance of injury to all involved.
References
Amnesty International (2007) Amnesty International. (2007). USA: Amnesty International's concerns about Taser use: Statement to the US Justice Department inquiry into deaths in custody. doi:AMR 51/151/2007
Taser International (2006). Instructor Certification Lesson Plan (Version 13.0 ed., Rev.). Scottsdale, Arizona: Taser International.
Vilke, G. M., Sloane, C., Levin, S., Neuman, T., Castillo, E., & Chan, Tc. (2008, January). Twelve-lead electrocardiogram monitoring of subjects before and after voluntary exposure to the Taser X26. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18082773?dopt=Citation
Taser International (2006)
The Bryan v McPherson case is in reference to the use of a Taser gun. Carl Bryan was stopped by Coronado Police Department Officer McPherson for not wearing his seatbelt. Bryan was irate with himself for not putting it back on after being stopped and cited by the California Highway Patrol for speeding just a short time prior to encountering Officer McPherson. Officer McPherson stated that Mr. Bryan was acting irrational, not listening to verbal commands, and exited his vehicle after being told to stay in his vehicle. “Then, without any warning, Officer McPherson shot Bryan with his ModelX26 Taser gun” (Wu, 2010, p. 365). As a result of being shot with a Taser, he fell to the asphalt face first causing severe damage to his teeth and bruising
...ending on the size and tolerances of the patients, the voltages could have ranged anywhere form 70 to 130 volts. As a direct effect from the large amounts of electricity being imposed into the patient’s body they will lose consciousness almost immediately. The shocks sent them in to convulsions or seizures and therefore increased their insulin levels. After a patient regains consciousness, he or she will not remember any of the events of being shocked. (Noyes and Kolb).
Before more Tasers are given to officers, there needs to be more research done outlining the possible risks that CEWs pose to the human body, and any short or long term effects that may arise due to the use of CEWs on individuals. Secondly, the issuing of Tasers to more officers is not a good idea because just like anything else, Tasers can lead to an overreliance on the part of police officers to resort to the use of Tasers on individuals who do not comply with them. This, along with the absence of clear and strict guidelines that stipulate when officers are to use their Tasers on non-compliant individuals, will lead to abuse. Many police officers may decide to bypass the use of verbal commands, empty-handed strikes, and other tools at their disposal such as the ASP baton, when dealing with a violent individual, or someone who is simply not complying with their instruction.... ... middle of paper ... ...(2013, August 29).
Use of Electronic Control Devices (ECD’s) such as the widely used taser X26 at the discretion of police officers can be a very useful tool in order to temporarily disable and obtain custody of a non-compliant suspect. When used appropriately it can even reduce the risk of a suspect physically harming the officer, himself or others through temporary physical incapacitation. However these devices need not be used unnecessarily, and officers who do employ their use liberally and without just cause should not go without appropriate disciplinary measures proportionate to the magnitude of the situation. I would like to shed light on a few examples of ECD use where officer discretion have come under scrutiny.
...s should be aware of legal issues that are concerned with the TASER as well.
Non-lethal weapons are popular among law-enforcement for the reasons of being able to provide a police officer detain larger and more hostile subjects without a large risk of injury to his/her self or the subject. Most common uses of non-lethal force is the application of tear gas or pepper spray. Both have extremely large incapacitating effects designed to bring down individuals and give the police officer the upper hand. Pepper spray is common in the law enforcement world, but has skyrocketed in public providing protection for individuals to carry a small can to provide protection when stuck in a scary situation. Tear gas and pepper spray as the intentions to subdue someone but there is always a time where the expectations are not met and
When people think of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) they tend to think of R.P. McMurphy (portrayed by Jack Nicholson in 1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) being, literally, shocked into submission. ECT, to many, is a scary and barbaric process more closely linked to a form of punishment than a therapeutic medical procedure. It is a medical horror story almost a century old. However, as with all things, the over 75 years since ECT was first used it has changed a great deal. It is no longer comparable to an executioner’s electric chair.
When ECT was first introduced, it was a terrifying and hazardous procedure: patients suffered serious side effects, even breaking a bone from convulsions (Nairne, Smith & Lindsay, 2001). It has been criticized since its beginnings, and only recently it has begun to be seen more positively. The major reason for this is the fact that the treatment went through significant changes over the years – it is now much safer than before. Nowadays, patients are given a general anaesthetic and medications that relax the muscles to prevent injuries from occur. However, most professionals still consider it to be a treatment of last resort. It is used when people have shown...
Being introduced in the early 1900’s, electroconvulsive shock therapy, or ECT, has deemed to be one of the most effectual and least understood treatments in psychiatry. Technically it has distorted in many ways since its conception and is now viewed as a secure and effective treatment of patients with key depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic episodes, and other grave mental turmoil’s. Nevertheless, the neurobiological transformations critical to the therapeutic triumph of ECT have not yet been fully understood. Such a knowledge fissure has led to an erroneous representation of ECT in the media and fallacy about ECT being held by many patients and even health care professionals.
Police brutality is a very real problem that many Americans face today. The police carry an enormous burden each day. Police work is very stressful and involves many violent and dangerous situations. In many confrontations the police are put in a position in which they may have to use force to control the situation. There are different levels of force and the situation dictates the level use most of the time. The police have very strict rules about police use force and the manner in which they use it. In this paper I will try to explain the many different reason the police cross the line, and the many different people that this type of behavior effects. There are thousands of reports each year of assaults and ill treatment against officers who use excessive force and violate the human rights of their victims. In some cases the police have injured and even killed people through the use of excessive force and brutal treatment. The use of excessive force is a criminal act and I will try and explore the many different factors involved in these situations.
This type of execution was invented by employees of Thomas Edison during the War of the Currents that occurred in the US. It was designed by inventor and steamboat engineer, Dr. Alfred P. Southwick and built by Harold P. Brown who was an electrical engineer. The process of execution involves the convict being strapped down to a chair with leather belts before being electrocuted by a minimum of two jolts of electricity about 500 - 2000V that lasted about 30 seconds each. A public demonstration was held to determine the type of current to be used. Direct current (DC) was chosen instead of alternating current (AC) as direct current does not instantly kill the convict.
Everyday law enforcement personal have the possibility to face dangerous events in their daily duties. In performing such duties a police officer could come by a seemingly ordinary task, and in a blink of an eye the event can turn threatening and possible deadly. When or if this happens to an officer they won’t have
Background and Audience Relevance: According to the Human Rights Watch 2012 report on Police Brutality and Accountability in the United States; police brutality has become one the most serious human rights violation. As citizens of the United States it is our duty to make sure that those with authority don 't take advantage of their power.
will deliver an electric shock to the heart to try to get it to stop the ventricular fibrillation which is when your heart rate increases and does not produce enough blood to the brian or other organs. A defibrillator was used in the case of Wes Leonard, but unfortunately it was not enough. As of right now I do not believe that there is a clear answer that would prevent the sudden cardiac arrests that athletes are suffering.
Another aspect to consider is the areas to target with the baton. If the attacker is armed, go for the hand holding the weapon. If not, there is a wealth of other choices. An impact weapon is most effective when striking bony areas, such as the knee, elbow, collarbone, and wrist. Stay away from attacking the head, neck, and spine; such blows