has there ever been? the answer is no folks! I'm sitting at my computer with the list compiled from June 01-Aug08 of deaths following use of stun weapons in the US Law Enforcement. All cases involve M26 or X26 tasers. The book is THICK the pages long with names and "cause of Death" generally just as the above story describes! Oh of course you can find head trauma, cardiac etc., but mostly it's meth.
Reality check...it's the stun gun!, And a meth head that is is big time need of a treatment center that our gov't cannot provide...so we pay for the revolving steele doors (cost effective!?)and continue to look the other way at this problem.

Officer Safety...you bet your booty. Still that does not resolve this problem. My book is too thick!!!!

I could not agree more. Take the tasers back! A 40 calibre glock would be a better choice.

LOL! So the next time some tweaker goes off the deep end, cops should do what Lenny? From what i have seen, taser death % are low for the amount it is used! Again Lenny what would you do if a tweaker or anyone comes at you with a weapon of any type?

One of the problems I see with taser usage is often they are deployed unnecessarily and disproportionately. Frequently they are used in situations where firearms or other weapons would not be an option…sometimes used in relatively low-level encounters and at the first sign of any resistance. Again, high on my list of concerns I have a book with many court cases, video film You Tube etc.. showing the above to be true. Officers are, for the most part as per Amnesty Internationals sample survey in 08’ for 40 US Law enforcement policies, allowed to use their CED (conducted energy devices) when faced with “active resistance”. Many Department now prohibit use of CED’s on “passive” resistance, but this was not the case and still remains in use for 19% out of 500 law enforcement agencies surveyed last year.
While ongoing research still concludes the risk of direct adverse effect from a CED on a healthy adult is low, the research is limited in scope for these are generally not the individuals being shocked.

The next problem I have is with the device itself. Painful cannot begin to explain its impact. I’m frustrated that by now the manufactures have not come up with devices that simply incapacities, availing effected arrest without incident.

And what would I do? I have never been in uniform attempting an arrest. I do not know. I would assume you are looked upon as a threat. Amphetamine psychosis and fear of being arrested probably is not a pleasant match! I have encountered aggressive meth addicts throughout my lifetime in various settings. No situation has become physical. I have not been a threat. I do believe our Sheriff Department needs a citizen review committee and a “use of force” policy in place regarding the discharge of CED’s. Additionally the chips of these units assigned officers should be checked monthly and downloaded for # of deployments. Incident reports should follow every deployment.

I know many individuals with years of recovery from this drug so I know this is possible for anyone who wants it. And off of the CED’s and onto this drug….it is my belief that it will always be available. I don’t care how much money you dump into law enforcement “drug” teams. It will always be there. The money should be about reaching the people addicted. Just like cigarettes….dump money into getting people off of the drugs and into a life without it! That’s where change will begin.

You still did not answer. What is someone supposed to do when threatened? Weather a cop or Joe blow on the street! There are lots of violent people on the streets these days.
Drug’s & alcohol have a lot to do with it, and yes treatment is great. But when a cop tells someone (whatever the reason) to put their hands behind there back and they refuse WHAT do they do? Baton? Gun? Choke Hold? Pepper spray? Hand to hand and hope you can handle the guy? Or just let him walk away, that way no one gets injured. The drunk or tweaker will seek treatment and everything will be great . No harm done. Unfortunately it does work like that. Sometimes the only way to get violent people off the streets is with violence! So Lenny i ask, What is a cop to do when someone resists?

I would expect an officer to do their best to assume the alpha position at the gate. When met with resistance to a direct command, without hesitation that officer should immediately do a takedown and cuff um. That is what I would like to see in this job and position, from a civilian standpoint without training. I would expect the officer to only use a taser as an alternative to their gun.

I do not believe in CED's being used in custody (jails), and they are. These are already captive individuals going nowhere and you have plenty of back-up for takedown when needed.

Does that answer your question?

Only problem is, what if the cop does'nt win the fight? Looses his or her gun? Case in pointe, i have been in martial arts for some time now, and unless the cop has his gun drawn and is standing more than five feet away. He would not win(most likely)! When and if a cop told me to do something, i would do it! I am a nice guy, i beleave in law & order! So what you are saying Lenny is a cop should take the chance of risking his and other lives and try and take the guy down with brut force. Mabe guy is martial artist and not a nice guy, or on meth or angel dust. Sorry lenny, if you do the crime, fight back etc. then you deserve what you get! I would hate to live in a world with out law & order! BTW i have taken a few secerity training coarses and been tazed, it does not feel good, but its not that bad!