Control. Taser death video released.
Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 10:01:06 PM PDT
The Video that was taken at the Vancouver Airport, of the taser death of Mr Dziekanski has been released to the public today. I said a couple weeks ago that I had no desire to see it, and I mostly haven't changed my mind on that score. Its been posted in three parts, and I watched the first two. I will not watch the third, where he dies. The second part is bad enough.
It took some doing to get the video back. When Mr Pritchard agreed to let the police view the video and take it as evidence, the police promised to return it within 48 hours and quickly reneged on that promise.
In fact there were some rumours that it would be for an indefinite period of a year. If ever?
It seems there were reasons that the Police didn't want it released. The rationale of CYA? (cover your ass)
Heres the link. Its in three parts, they are listed in the right sidebar. The second is extremely graphic, I haven't seen the third as I said. I have no desire to see a man die. Be cautious, and be warned.
What did the film show? Exactly what the man who took the film said it would.
The tape then shows the following, he said:
- Upon arrival, the Taser was quickly drawn;
- The Taser was first used about 35 seconds after police arrived on scene;
- As three officers held Dziekanski down, a second attempt to Taser him was made; after they had Dziekanski restrained, an officer placed his knee on Dziekanski's neck and held it there, and;
- Although the officers were trained in CPR, none of them attempted to revive Dziekanski after he lost consciousness.
He's about right on all counts.
Add to that the fact that the police INSISTED there were only 2-3 officers there. They said the witnesses who insisted there were 4 cops attending the death, were wrong...
The witnesses were more accurate than ANY of the police statements.
Then realize that no one attempted CPR, and the airport medics were not called. An ambulance team took 12 minutes. The airport medics would have saved 10 minutes, and maybe a life.
I wrote a post about this a short while back, called Electric Justice. There were links to other taser incidents, and a list of incidents that just occurred here in BC. There was also a link to a blog that tracks these sorts of stories Confrontation- News and information on social conflict across Canada.
The Taser is being used more and more, and becoming even more controversial. It sounds not too bad according to it's proponents; It's supposed to be "non lethal". A way for police to incapacitate violent people without shooting them.
But beneath the surface it is becoming like any other tool that has the power to control people. It has become a means to cause fear, to keep the good citizens in line. Just the perfect thing for any upcoming peace demonstrations?
TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, today announced that it received three significant orders from law enforcement agencies. The first order received was from the Houston Police Department in Houston, TX, for 480 TASER(r) X26(tm) Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) and related accessories. The second order was from the Suffolk Police Department in Suffolk, VA, for 140 TASER X26 ECDs, 140 TASER CAM(tm) recording systems, and related accessories. The third order was from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department in Chattanooga, TN, for 110 TASER X26 ECDs, 110 TASER CAM systems, and related accessories.
Thats market news told from CNN....Its almost like they are reporting the sale of stereo equipment. But this is more of a market advisory. BUY shares! Blech.
In another article outlining how a Football player was pulled over for failing to use his turn signals and tasered, and then not charged with anything, including the traffic infractions......This note.
A Houston Chronicle analysis of HPD Taser incidents from December 2004 through August 2006 showed that blacks and Hispanics were shocked far more often than whites. Of 892 incidents, 73 percent of the subjects shocked were black.
The review also showed that in more than one-third of cases, no charges were filed in state or county courts.
Then there is the next evolution beyond tupperware, Avon, and sex toy parties....
Thank the lord that I never stuck around to see the next big thing. Taser Parties. Paranoid girls can now gather together to check out the latest in non-lethal weaponry. Lisa Rigberg is a Taser Party host. Speaking to news show Local6, she said that a Taser is a must-have for
the girl-about-town:
It's light, it's small and it comes in colors. [...]if you know you are going to be in a certain situation where you might be uncomfortable, why not have it with you? It just makes you more confident.
In colours, accessorized with ones purse and lipstick? Is it me, or is this just wrong?
The following story is disturbing, but kind of amusing in a twisted way:
Wisconsin Cop Shocked by Own Taser
Madison police released a report Monday on the July 31 incident,
without revealing the officer's name or gender. The department said the
Taser accidentally discharged during a standard checkout procedure.
-snip
The officer's hand was injured, police spokesman Joel DeSpain said.
Just remember, THIS Revolution, will be Youtubed. Keep your camera nearby.
Updated from a post at A Creative Revolution.
Permalink | 93 comments