Granny Gets Tased! Was The Constable Correct in Using Non-Lethal Force on 72 Year Old?
KETK Viewers and KTBB Listeners respond to Garth Maier's Question of the Day
June 12, 2009 - 6:36am
Tyler—
East Texans respond to our News Partner KTBB Radio on Garth's Question of The Day: Was a constable correct in his use of a taser against a 72 year old Grandmother?
The purpose of law enforcement using Taser's is to reduce officer-suspect injuries. Had the officer not tasered this lady he would have had to put his hands on her which could/would have resulted in injuries to one or both.Again the use of tasers greatly reduce officer related injuries and thats the main purpose of their use.If that lady (age does not matter) would have listened to the lawful orders of that officer she would not ever have to worry about being tased.Old or young suspects can and do hurt officers in the line of duty and extensive research shows tasers reduce the injuries sustancially!
Larry
5 months agoI agree with you that the taser's purpose is to reduce officer-suspect injuries in a potentially volatile situation where the suspect is physically agressive, but that was not the case in this instance. The only one pushing and shoving was the constable.
Granted, Granny behaved badly, but a well trained experienced officer might have been able to difuse this situation before it got to this point. She did say to him to give it to her and she would sign it.
Who knows, maybe granny was miffed that an elected warrant-server (constable) had a Barney Fife moment and was thrilled to get to chase a desparado like her down and to write in that likely pristine ticket book of his. :D
The fact does remain that people have died after being tased and for an elderly woman to be dropped by a taser poses a very real potential for a bone fracture.
Tasing can and does reduce injuries in violent situations but this officer was never in danger of being taken out or down by 4'11", 72 yr old,smack-talking granny.
CindyRN
5 months agoMost of the time, they only tase someone when they are highly aggressive, not mildly aggressive. Talking crap is not grounds for someone to get tased. If the officer had maybe called for back up (and maybe gotten a female cop) then the lady might not have been so irrate. That is what I feel could have happened and should have.
wickidbutterfly
5 months agoVoice of experience, perhaps? How many tasings have you been involved in or witnessed, that make you such an expert on tasing? She would have treated a female police officer worse. MOST aggressive people only escalate the situation, when confronted by reason, or even the slightest sign of weakness. They only understand superior aggression. What was the officer supposed to do? Say pretty please? If you're nice about this, I'll give you a pass? I believe this women has a long history of trying to bulldoze anyone, anytime. If I am wrong, I won't have any problem apologizing to everyone who disagrees with me on this topic. I'll even donate a $100 bill to her favorite charity, along with a personal apology.
etexdiver
5 months agoI have witnessed quite a few, and it wasn't because I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I used to work in law enforcement and have about 6 family members and a lot of friends that are police officers, too. They use their discretion to determine when to and when to not tase. Sometimes you have just think a little bit more ahead than what you normally do. Also, just because someone was aggressive one time, doesn't make them always aggressive. She might have been having a bad day (like we all have now of days). This world has just gone rotten and people forget what it is like to be human anymore. I have seen mental patients act better than what we act at times. I should know.
wickidbutterfly
5 months agoLOL and rolling, Wickid. The only reason I replied to your comment is to see what YOUR response would be. You have 'about' 6 family members in law enforcement, not sure though, huh? Could be more or less, I guess. You made my point with your next sentence. "They use their discretion to determine when to and when to not tase". Exactly what the officer did with that old battleaxe. I would think with your extensive background of law enforcement, you would lean toward support of people trying to uphold the law. Also, I do agree with you that everyone has a bad day. Every time I've had a bad day, and acted on it, it cost me something. Your last two sentences are WAY yonder too much information. Google or Bing the granny; she is a loose cannon.
etexdiver
5 months agoAs video recording devices become smaller and more common there have been a vast number of instances of thuggish police behavior caught on camera everywhere in this country.
Its an unfortunate truth that law enforcement attracts a substantial number of people who are brutal thugs by nature and who see the uniform as a license to vent their sadism and need to dominate others. They disgrace the police profession by their presence.
This officer and many like him should be in mental institutions receiving treatment.
Eric Rathbone
Smith County Chair
Libertarian Party of Texas
Eric Rathbone
5 months agoThis video recording device is installed in this particular officers vehicle, Mr. Rathbone. I am sure he was well aware of its capabilities of recording incidents just like this one. I find it hard to believe he went looking for a victim that his units camera could film.
It is unfortunate that such a large number of people have to direct abuse on public officials, especially since they know the officials are subject to civil law and and thus open to lawsuits.
If this had happened involving a middle class white male, it wouldn't have even made the news. Gender, race or age should have nothing to do with how the law is enforced. At her age, that woman should know better.
I assume, since you have included your chairman title of the Smith County chapter of the Libertarian Party of Texas, that you speak for ALL members of your chapter. Before you rush to judgement with the unencumbered support of your chapter, you better make sure you have all the facts of the case, so as not to burden the chapter with a libel charge, or at least, just looking stupid.
If this is just your opinion, alone, don't include your title, as if THAT would give you any kind of special substantiation. If you are speaking for ALL the members the Smith County chapter of the Libertarian Party of Texas; you all must have a very fast special meeting, agreeing to your writing of this GROUP opinion.
Last of all, in MY opinion: Who cares what a second rate political party, that can only garner 1% of Texas' votes in the last Presidential election, thinks. Your title doesn't mean squat to me, Mr. Rathbone. Take that from a registered voter, who WAS thinking of looking into the Libertarian Party as viable competition to the other two lame duck parties.
etexdiver
5 months agoIf you do not listen to law enforcement and break the law, you will not like the results. If you act like a idiot you deserve it, no matter you age. If she hit a construction worker because of speeding everyone would have a change of heart.
Dennis
5 months agoI find this action amazing! I can certainly understand tasing someone that is physically agressive....but a 72 yr old granny for talking smack? Come on. This officer never had any reason to use that on her to "subdue" her. She was no physical threat to him. If tasing people because they piss you off is "protocol" for this law enforcement office I just have to wonder what minor offense a person might get shot for?....jaywalking? I DO know that there are cases of people dying after being tased. I wonder if age and physical condition have any bearing on those cases.
CindyRN
5 months agoPost new comment