Yeah it looks bad
Okay go watch it here. I'm sure you've seen it already.
I know, I know, it looks bad. I've watched it a few times and have some thoughts about it.
First, the woman was an idiot. It's obvious that she was used to getting her way. I've also read in several other news sources that the woman had a history of getting pulled over and then driving away without signing the ticket. I doubt she will do that again after this incident.
Second, the officer warned her several times about what was going to happen but she continued to hoot and holler. I guess she thought she was untouchable. I've dealt with drama queens like that before.
Third, the woman is obviously trying to use the "72 year old grandma" route for sympathy. I loved that once the dashcam video came out, she shut her mouth about the incident.
I love the fact that the officer's boss is supporting him. It is rare to find a department head who would weather such a media frenzy. I know my department would be quick to throw me to the wolves.
I think the officer was justified in what he did. She was trying to get back to her car and both were near a busy roadway. However I do think he was too quick to use that taser. There's no doubt that he could have forced her into cuffs. I tend to think of the taser as something to use instead of getting into a good fight. Newer officers seem to think of the taser as something to use whenever they have to put hands on people.
Of course going hands-on would have looked bad too. If the "grandma" had resisted that, there is a good chance she would end up with road rash or a broken arm. Then folks would be crying about that police brutality instead. It is really a lose lose situation for the police in these incidents.
Everyone should look at the fact that the officer quickly got her under arrest and there were no serious injuries.
Isn't that our ultimate goal?
22 bits of radio chatter:
I've seen some old folks that would wear your *ss out. I agree with you, though. Newer officers are quick to introduce the Taser to a situation. Of course, back in the day, I was quick to slap a choke-hold on someone. Same stuff, I guess, just a different era and different tools.
I don't know how I go day after day getting people into handcuffs without a Taser. /sarcasm
If you can't handle a 72 year old woman without electrocuting her maybe you should look for another job.
He may have been justified but he was still stupid.
There's no question that she lied in the TV interview I saw. She mouthed off, was uncooperative and combative. Without a doubt the arrest was justified and it seems to me that a conviction is quite likely.
Furthermore, he was not too quick to use force. He had to protect himself, protect the suspect, and maintain control of the situation.
With that said, that ginormous cop should have been able to cuff her without using the Taser or a lot more force than we saw before the Taser. Justified doesn't mean smart.
If the 72 year old gramma is hyped up on meth and wearing your ass out first, and then you electrocute her, I don't have a problem with it.
But using the Taser as the next option after verbal, before hands on, when you are dealing with gramma... That's Charlie Sierra. Sorry, if you are that afraid of her it's your first option then time to hunt the Help Wanted ads.....
The woman is manipulative and is used to getting her own way. It's likely she's been bullying her family and the people around her for years with this 'old lady' excuse. That mouth of hers would make anyone take hold of their own temper with both hands before proceeding.
I think the cop used his Taser because he was angry. The bit about protecting himself and protecting the suspect doesn't wash, and his size alone allows him to control the situation. If he was worried he could have put the woman in handcuffs.
As far as the alleged criminal's crimes, what I saw amounted to resisting arrest. I briefly saw that the traffic violation was something like 60 in a 35, which should be a hefty fine.
The cop was too quick on the Taser trigger, but now what? What would you do about the cop's behavior?
If he used the Taser within policy and followed the law on use of force, which he apparently did, there's no discipline in store for him.
This is a common sense issue, unfortunately Tasers have, in the minds of many officers, replaced all use of force between verbal commands and shooting the gun. In a few cases it has replaced the gun as well and resulted in lethal consequences for the officer.
If you are five foot, eight inches tall and you are going up against a guy twice your size with muscles on his muscles, the Taser is a great tool. But you need to use some damn sense when you are dealing with children and old ladies who don't pose any other threat besides their mouth.
Some are police,some are COPS.
Here's why he's justified in using the Taser in this situation even though he could have got her in handcuffs without it.
He was 5 feet from the road where traffic was screaming by. Sure...he could have wrestled with her and got her in handcuffs. But why would he risk the scuffle going into traffic when he could tase her and drop her where she stood.
Also....the Tasering of her looks FAR FAR FAR better than him wrestling her into cuffs.
The officer was justified in using the taser however his crisis managment skills was horrible.
My mother could be that woman. Dealing with any kind of authority she is a bitch on steriods. Both my sister and I agree the woman forced the situation; that she was determined to have it her way. I leave it to the professionals as to how the officer handled the situation. Wonder if anyone checked to see if she was drunk?
I watched the video again. The officer never once tells the old lady to move out of the way of traffic. He screams at her and pushes her, which is infuriating to anyone. She agrees to sign the ticket, and the cop continues to push her around but does not offer any reason. I would suppose in the cop's mind civilians are to obey his orders with alacrity and enthusiasm.
I'd cheerfully pay fives dollars to see what might happen to this big boy if he tried pushing and screaming at a few of the cops who read this blog. Or worse yet, if he tried that kind of thing with your own mother or your wife while you were watching.
The cop looks to be a solid head taller and a good one hundred pounds heavier then the old woman. The old lady could have wound up and landed her Sunday best right into his bread basket and all she would have accomplished was breaking her own hand. If this cop really wanted the old lady in handcuffs, he could have held her with one hand and applied the cuffs with the other. Personally, I don't see the need for handcuffs here, but that's just me. The cop didn't do that. The cop applied his Taser.
Now if size and age were reversed – a 72 year old five foot something cop dealing with a 250 pound six foot something lawbreaker, then yeah, I could understand why the cop would use his Taser. That wasn't the case here.
Did the old lady behave badly? You bet. She's probably done this before and it's worked well for her. She may even be guilty of resisting arrest or something similar. Did she deserve to be Tased? No.
Whether this cop was within the law or not, this police officer didn't do the rest of you any favors.
Arresting only for resisting arrest is silly.
Looks like somebody still wants to be the bully on the playground.
I can hardly wait for the next taser follies.
Bring back the wood shampoo!
Good,bad,I'm the guy with the Taser,and no common sense.
It does look bad, yeah. But then hindsight is always 20-20. Other than that I'm not qualified to comment.
On a lighter note, I deal with pensioners every day - some of them are really nasty old buggers. Can I borrow a Taser? It might just improve some attitudes.
For goodness sakes Grandma! Next time listen to the police!
The grandma was guilty of felonious mopery and impure thoughts on a steamboat landing.
I agree. The cop might have been in policy, but I think he should have gone with a firm grip and a twist lock or wrist lock.
New South Wales in Australia, has just stated it will be rolling out Tasers (currently only the riot squad have them). It hasn't gone down well after an officer was videoed tasering someone in the back. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25634089-12377,00.html
I'm with Roanoke on this one.
With the size, age and (presumed) tactical skill differences, if he "needed" to tase her to gain control, the guy is in the wrong job or best head back for some more training on the mats.
Don't get me wrong, though. She gets zero sympathy from me. The ol' bitty had some major Pain Compliance comin' to her in my book.
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