If not TASER, than What?

TASER is an electro-muscular disruption weapon, which causes involuntary muscle contraction that cause temporary incapacitation. Its five-second discharge stuns the criminal for long enough to cuff him/her. The electricity in the TASER flows over the skin’s surface, not through internal organs. Which means it cannot stop the heart. The TASER X26 is the only instrument to revolutionize an aspect of policing in the past thirty-five years.
The technology is a non-lethal weapon, meaning it cannot kill. The category of non-lethal weapons includes pepper spray and the baton. (A gun would be in lethal weapon category)
So why is the media reporting so many TASER involved deaths?
The media is reporting on misrepresentations and sensationalistic innuendo. To clear up most confusions: If you were to die from electric shock by a TASER you would die within seconds of being shot, this means if you died 5 – 10 minutes later, even an hour later, you will have not died by electric shock.
• Most deaths were ruled drug related, including “excited delirium”
• Most occurred during transport or at the hospital
• Most involved subjects demonstrating extremely erratic and bizarre behaviour
• Most have occurred hours to days after actual TASER device applications
• Most deaths were ruled out as not TASER related by medical examiners
(From TASER International’s “State of the Union” by Steve Tuttle)
This controversy about TASER deaths and misuse has come to the forefront of media frenzy. We have heard all the myths of electric shock, and heart stops, but we haven’t heard any good news about the TASER technology.
It allows an officer to arrest a criminal without being injured in the process. They also can be tracking to see the exact time in which a cartridge was deployed It also is safer to the criminal as the alternative to a TASER would be pepper spray, baton or even a gun.
Any use of force carries an inherent risk of danger. Use of force is not risk free and there is no magic “no-kill” weapon. However, TASER is among the safest and most affective force for the officers, especially when the TASER lowers death in both the police and the civilian.
I guess it is really up to the reader to have their own opinion on subjects like these. However, my advice is to read the cold facts, not the misrepresentations or innuendo.

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19-year-old Face Multiple Attempted Murder Charges

On Nov. 10, a male was reported to have stolen a vehicle in Oxford County around 11:30AM. An Oxford County OPP officer spotted this vehicle. A pursuit was given, assisted by County of Brant OPP and Norfolk OPP. This was soon terminated due to the driver’s extremely dangerous driving. He then drove at an officer who attempted to lay out a spike belt and later two officers attempting to stop traffic. The vehicle then skidded and hit a tree. After fleeing on foot, he was apprehended.

R. Ryan, 19, from Brantford faces:
• Attempt Murder- 3 counts
• Dangerous Operation-Motor Vehicle- 3 counts
• Drive Disqualified- 3 counts
• Attempt-Theft Over $5,000 Motor Vehicle- 2 counts
• Theft over $5,000 of Motor Vehicle
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
• Flight from Police Officer
• Breach of Probation Order

Ryan is currently being held in custody at the Brantford Jail.

Source: http://www.crimealerts.net/brant.htm

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Frontlines of Public Relations

Dealing with the public is in the police’s job description, especially for Mark Cloes, the Media and Community Officer for the Wellington County OPP. His job is the definition of police and public relations. “My role” he states “is to review all incidents responded to by the police and prepare media releases as needed.” This role between the police and the public helps the community understand what is going on, crime-wise.
He attends presentations at schools, makes presentations requested by the public, sits on various committees and community groups, and sets up booths at local events. These activities he participates in are very important to the public. “Education of the members of the public to all matters pertaining to road safety or crime prevention is essential, to reducing incidents of crime, and to assist in making our roadways safer,” he says.
The police’s image is where Officer Cloes’ job steps in. “Police image within the public is extremely important, I attempt to smooth over any misconception that members of the public may have about any frontline officer, and I also try to foster a positive and caring image between police and public at all times.” Image is what Officer Cloes has to worry about. It is important that the public trusts the police, or some crimes may go undetected.
This job is never easy; sometimes it is hard to smooth over arguments. He says of one the difficulties of the job is the media’s portrayal of his job. “Sometimes members of the media are upset that I don't work 24 hrs a day...or [no one] is working throughout the night. Media officers only work days and not nights.” At one point, his cell phone number was given to the media and had received calls at different times during the night.
His job is very important to both police and to the public. He is the officer who helps the public to continue in being safe. “Road safety and crime prevention are high priority to the Ontario Provincial Police,” he says, leaving a message. “Together with some patience and education, you can help your local police to make our roadways safer and to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.”

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We are a Violent Nation

We are a violent nation. How can anyone deny it? Violence stemmed from the early humans. You had to be the strongest to survive, you had to be the strongest to eat, mate, live, etc. But our social instincts kicked in to create groups, and in these groups came the rules.
These codes of behaviour revolved around the religious sector. We had to be in control, because murder and violence are unsocial, unaccepted behaviour. Our social behaviours became our responsibility, thus creating the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would do unto yourself.
However, society recognized the need for violence in some forms, and created classes of people who can stretch these limits on violence, under certain rules. This lead to the development of the military – to protect society from external threats – and the police force – to protect society from internal threats. Nowadays the Government resides over the codes of behaviour, what is legal and illegal, and runs these two forces for the betterment of society.
Violence continues to exist in our world today. We see small crimes, murders, terrorism. Is this because our human instinct is still the survival of the fittest? Or is it something different? Police and military are there to protect society, from both internal and external threats. Protect us they shall.
That is what I will hope to achieve with this blog, report on crimes, and show the relations between the protectors and the protected.

Check out this video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emm4VFvn2Jg

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The Sheep and the Sheepdogs

How do Police and people relate to one another? Can they react without conflict? Should people care? Do we feel safe?
As a daughter of two police officers with military backgrounds, I have been raised in an environment of over protectiveness and knowledge of the evil of the world, conflicting ideas if you ask me. I have always been interested in the subject of Police and people relations, because it is what I go through every day. I know the Police world and I know the people world.
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, an author of two books that deal with psychology of killing and war, wrote an essay titled On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs. (Link below) Although I could argue against some of his points, his message is clear: Police, soldiers, warriors are a necessity of life.
Essentially, most of society can be referred to as sheep – peaceful, harmless people that go about their not unlike a field full of grazing sheep. The only enemy of the sheep is the wolf, an analogy to the violent criminal element in our society. The sheepdog, the protector of the flock from the wolves resembles those in our society like the police, and in some war-torn societies, the soldiers. Much of the flock of sheep pay no attention to the sheepdog and take comfort that they are somewhat protected. Some sheep look at the sheepdog and resent its control over their freedoms as it tries to keep the flock together and protected. And some sheep look at the sheepdog and see a resemblance to the wolf, with its sharp teeth and propensity to violence and have no trust whatsoever.
This subject can be touchy to some people and very opinionated by others, however it holds a huge significance to everyone. No matter how small the significance is to us, some day we will call on the police for help, and they will help. I want to look at the specific controversies and problems surrounding the relations between people and police officers. This can cover anything from Tasers to gun laws and gun control to the leniency of the law.
In this blog, I plan to include interviews with people and police officers, some video clips of important information, and Every Saturday I will include Case Studies to analyse and report on. I plan to Follow bother the Toronto Police Service www.torontopolice.on.ca and the Brantford Police Service websites. www.police.brantford.on.ca/index.html

Essay, On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs by Dave Grossman.
(I suggest reading it, as I will most likely be talking about it further in this blog)
http://www.gleamingedge.com/mirrors/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html

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