TASER Device Use Defended by Police

Waynesboro police have defended the use of a TASER device by a police officer on a woman who was arguing with them after they asked her to step away while rescue efforts were in motion at a crash scene the previous day.

While 15 people were looking the officer employed his self defense device as emergency personnel responded to the two car wreck. Two people were hurt as a result of the crash, but were said to be recovering at a hospital.

Officers and witnesses who were at the scene saw the woman in question walk up to the crash site where she yelled at police. After the woman failed to move away from the site, one of the officers utilized his TASER weapon where she was briefly detained and charged with obstruction of justice.

The operation of a nonlethal tool such as these has only been employed by Waynesboro police six times during this year. Furthermore, between 2007 and 2009, the usage of these devices by Waynesboro police was cut by nearly a fourth, according to the numbers presented by the police department. Additionally to keep on track of the number of times a device is used, a police officer must file the necessary paperwork every time a TASER device has been operated.

Nowadays, when it comes to devices such as pepper spray, stun guns and TASER weapons, they are being frequently employed because of their effectiveness at subduing an individual in a quick amount of time. Not only that, but compared to a traditional firearm there is less harm involved when someone experiences the shock from the weapon, which also ultimately makes it a more suitable tool to pick.

And yet, while there may be cases when the use of such a tool is not necessary, it is down to an officer to determine the best approach. After extensive training, an officer should be ready and prepared to know when to utilize a TASER device and when not to. Disabling the woman at the crash site was regarded as the most effective route to take for the officer involved, as it allowed the emergency personnel to carry on with their work without the distraction.

So your best bet when confronted with an officer's TASER weapon is to move away.