Ravenwood - 01/17/05 06:15 AM
Officer uses pepper spray to subdue diabetic suffering from insulin shock
Key West Police Lt. Kathleen Ream, commander of the department's Bureau of Professional Standards, called the incident "unfortunate," but said nothing in Officer Rich Thomas's report indicated that he acted improperly...Well that's good. The officer didn't do anything illegal.Ream said police department policy allows officers to use pepper spray if a subject fails to comply with an officer's order and that nonresponsiveness is considered noncompliance.
I too worry about the tendency to use the taser devices indiscriminately. Being, in most cases, non lethal there has to be a temptation to substitute a "stop" device for a breathless foot chase or a messy takedown. Tasers are in danger of becoming the new cliche response from an arresting officer, replacing the standard "Stop resisting!!" that precedes the 4 cop asphalt pin arrest.
FWIW, I have two nephews who are cops and give the police the benefit of the doubt, but am tired of seeing 145 lb suspects with their faces pinned to the ground by the knees of 3 and 4 cops, all screaming "stop resisting" while the perp struggles to simply breathe.
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