In June 2008, I posted my thoughts about police officers using tasers as a less than lethal weapon when confronting unarmed subjects. I gave police officers the benefit of the doubt because they have to make split second decisions. However, what happened in New York City is very disturbing. A brief synopsis: Two police officers confronted a naked, mentally disturbed male standing on a third floor ledge. The man was despondent and causing a commotion. The police officers made a decision to taser the man without any regard for his safety of being three stories above the ground. Unfortunately, the man fell head first and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The issue here is why didn't the police officers call the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and/or a Crisis Negotiator to try and talk this man down. How about getting an inflatable devise to place beneath the ledge in the event the man jumped or fell. A lot of Monday quarterbacking on my part, which I thought that I would never do. However, this was not a split second decision situation and time could have been of the essence. Regardless, let's see what the outcome will be. I am hoping for more training for police officers when it comes to dealing with the mentally disturbed. In the end, this man did not deserve to die.
Note: Today is the birthday of my deceased sister, Sharon. May she rest in peace.
Update: The NYPD have taken steps to have all of the ESU personnel get more training in the usage of the taser. Unfortunately, the lieutenant that gave the order apparently could not live with his decision and allegedly committed suicide. God rest his soul.
http://mycentraljersey.com/article/20081002/NATIONWORLD/81002012
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/09/25/2008-09-25_nypd_investigates_two_officers_in_taser_.html
18 comments:
In a City with so many mentally and emotionally disturbed citizens, it's a little too late for specialized training. I can understand the officers inexperence but a Lieutenant? It's a good thing he had a conscience, because NYPD probably would have just found a way to justify his actions.
I think the NYPD acted very irresponsibly and they were neglecful in this case because I've always seen on other cases similar to these that the Fire Department puts a big inflatable ring on the ground so that the victim can survive any fall such in a situation like this. This action is unacceptable by the NYPD that is in charge of protecting its citizens and more importantly people who are mentally ill.
IN MY OPINION THE MENTALLY DISTURBED PERSON HERE, WAS THIS LIEUTENANT UNPREPARED FOR HIS POSITION, AND MENTALLY WEAK TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS DECISIONS.
FDORNELAS
This is not a situation where authories abuse their power. YES, it was a rookie move not to have a back up plan where a negotiator could have been valued. Howevr, NYPD was reckless in this form of policing, not having any form of inflatables for security after this individual was stunned. With the right lawyer this case could be prosecutable. C.O. 0424
I could blame NYPD because I would be saying that everyone that makes part of NYPD are a bunch of incompetents.
The only one to blame is the lieutnant and the officer for carrying out an order without analyzing the consequences.
There is no lack of training here but lack of grey matter on their part.
(ES 1810)
IN THIS SITUATION I THINK THE POLICE OFFICERS COULD HAVE HANDLE THIS IN A DIFFERENT WAY IF THIS MAN WAS MENTAL IT COULD HAVE BEEN OTHER WAYS TO HANDLE HIM INSTEAD OF TASING HIM. RS6569
I also agree with anonymous #3 about the lieutenent not be mentally strong with handling the consequences of his actions.In the matter of the moment, the officers knew not to used the taser on "elevated circumstances". Training should be polished for the officers but not every incidednt you will be able to call ESU or a Crisis NEgitiator. IT is sad that the disturbed man and lieutenent died.
AKR 4163
Wow!
Even someone that its not a cop or a cop without training wouldn't have done something like that. Taser gun a mentally ill guy that's standing in a pretty height place, without no infatable security its a big mistake.
This cops should not only go back to training but to pre-school to learn common sense.
1969
reckless, just plain reckless the man should not have died. police make split-second decisions i get it, but this was not one of those situations. nobody took the time to even consider what would happen if you taser a man three stories up. well those were some SMART cops.
CC 3103
What a shame!!! Two lives lost due to a complete and total lack of common sense. The decision to taser the mentally disturbed man could be seen as the lesser of two evils though. Rather than shoot him down, they seemingly less fatal alternative unfortunately resulted in the loss of life anyway. This just goes to show that book smarts and adequate training are no less important than having the ability to inject a healthy does of common sense into major and potentially life changing confrontations or situations.
K.G. 3792
I was a bit disappointed in the way the cops handle the situation it was poor judgement.The man was unarmed and was not a threat to anyone. The cops were very impatient .KG 2738
This case is unbelievable. How can you taser a mentally ill man without trying to get him down any way possible first? Training of how to use the taser is not the answer to this issue. Yes sometimes police officers have to make fast decisions but this guy was not threatening to kill people or do something really dangerous. They could have used time to try to talk him into getting down safely. It not only cost the victim's life but also the Lt. who regretted making that decision.
SG 4591
I realize that the inflatable device could have been the best recipe because he is mentally disturbed .Therefore,he would have paid no attention to a crisis negotiator.
LJ 6631
I think this one of the most stupid decision they ever made, they man would not be dead by now if they had called for assistant.they think they can do anything to any body ,i don't care if they think that was best thing to do at the moment for the man ,the man was sick ,they should thought about that before causing his dead.Js7920
Darnell In my personal opinion I feel the NYPD is the worst police department in the country. They have countless events in which they used such deadly and violent force when the victim didn't pose a threat to the officers safety. I'm still dwelling on the Sean Bell murder where he was shot to death on his bachelor night. Now I raise the question, are the police justified when using deadly force when the victim poses no threat to their safey? If not, how come no convictions has been made.
The cops were impatient. The cops were just ignorant, they were not properly trained for a situation like this..They didn't had no idea how to solve this problem. They should have left it to the pros. JTG-7666
i wasn't there to see the situation first hand but why would you taser someone with a mental illness? i believe the police could have handled this situation in a different matter...mp9504
I.D.8527
I believe that the police could have handled this situation a different way. The police were very ignorant to the situation in my opinion.It is a very unfortunate situation and I hope that these officers get the training they need to deal with these types of situations.
Post a Comment