Taser Video
I was going to begin a multi-part series ghost written by a guest author today but I felt the need to comment on what everyone’s talking about first.
First I would like to point out how arrogant it is of so many people to claim they know better than the people who actually witnessed the event, to say nothing of those who were involved in it and trained to deal with it. The video tells less than half the story. It’s tragic, shocking, and upsetting but it’s far from conclusive.
Here’s my take on it. The poor fellow appeared to have a weapon when he was tasered. Look closely, go frame by frame if you have to, I did. When he jolts after the first shot his arm jerks up and you can clearly see some kind of black rod in his hand, perhaps a stanchion. If that is as it appears tasering would seem a valid response.
Was it handled perfectly? No. But when in your life have you handled anything perfectly? Try that hindsight on yourself and see what you come up with.
The CBC criticized the RCMP pointing out they tasered the man in under a minute of arriving on the scene. How long are they supposed to wait before taking down someone brandishing a weapon? The CBC also implies the RCMP ignored being told he doesn’t speak English. Well it’s not like they can ignore the guy rampaging in an airport until a translator arrives. How should they have acknowledged it?
The CBC quotes a retired cop who says he doesn’t understand why the police would have gotten involved. The video shows the man throwing furniture at a woman trying to soothe him with quiet gentle words. He then trashes a computer. Is this cop saying I can throw furniture at people and break government computers with the police getting involved? That’s quite a loophole, time to rally the angry mob!
I also suspect the rules of engagement in an airport are probably a little different than anywhere else.
Now I’m not saying the RCMP were right or wrong, I’m intelligent and respectful enough to know I can’t make that determination nor should I. I wasn’t there, I don’t know the procedures, all I saw was a video that was very clear or consistent. What I AM saying is the CBC is biased or at the very least slanted in it’s reporting.
Look at the 24 newspaper that talked to a different cop who refused to make a judgment but did say that not intervening was not an option. He also pointed out the video is interrupted or pans away at too many critical points to be conclusive. Seems a much rational and reasoned approach than the CBC’s guy. Which one of them would you think has an agenda?
I also have an issue with people who use this to claim tasers shouldn’t be in the hands of police. I feel the police need as many nonlethal options as possible. I say every officer should be certified and allowed to carry one. Yes this incident is tragic but how many deaths have tasers prevented by providing a nonlethal alternative? Unfortunately you cannot get numbers on that.
So in conclusion I suggest you take the Socratic approach, to paraphrase Bill & Ted be smart enough to know you nothing. We have neither the information, training, or experience to judge this. If you doubt me think about this, it was an airport - don’t you think it was all caught on a surveillance camera or three that DOESN’T cut out or pan away? I know I can’t judge until I see that footage and I likely never will.
