Cop Tazers non-violent man in Arcata

If they are like most police departments, violent or aggressive is not always necessary when impact or tazer weapons are use. If they are like batons, they can be used for compliance. If you don't comply, you get hit. Just thought you would like to know before you start screaming bloody murder and sounding so foolish. Sounds like the whole thing could have been avoided if the man had complied with the Officers lawful order.....so simple..

Cop Tazers man in Arcata

and this was the extent of the supposed injuries you are crying about? in posting this article did it ever occure to you that you might look like a fool?

Cop tells idiot, come here. Idiot walks away. Cop zaps idiot. All the other idiots whine. Gimme a fucking break. Next time a cop says come here comply and save yourself some pain.

What crime was the man suspected of? Anyone can address anyone else and ask for their attention. However, a police officer can only legally detain someone if they have a reasonable suspicion that specific describable facts indicate that a person has committed, is about to commit, or is in the process of committing a crime.

The fact that someone with a gun, a bullet-proof vest, a radio, and a bunch of confederates orders you to stop does make it advisable to act prudently. It may create enough fear in you to make you stop whether the officerr is acting lawfully or not.

Some folks (the three previous commentators) want to give the officer the benefit of the doubt. That's not necessarily the wisest course. Those who use force should, particularly in an official capacity, should be required to justify what they do.

Not just the community but law-abiding police officers suffer when bad cops abuse their powers.

Taiserings have been lethal in repeated instances throughout the country.

Does Arcata have clear and community-accepted guidelines on when police are permitted to taiser?

Anybody got any more facts about this case?

typical pig, while there are certainly exceptions---many get very excited at the opportunity for some "action"---this was probably some overzealous idoiot, trying to display his power/authority.

Feeding one or more pigs to sell as market animals is probably one of the most common 4-H livestock projects. It doesn't require a large amount of money or expensive buildings and equipment and it can be completed in about four months.

The words "swine," "hogs," and "pigs" refer to animals of the porcine family or pig family. The term swine can also refer to the pig family in a general way, and "pig" can be used in referencing young animals. "Hog" will generally refer to animals at or nearing market weight or finished for market. The term "barrow" means a neutered male, and "gilt" means a young female. Pigs are also referred to as growing pigs (40 - 125 pounds), and finishing pigs, weighing from 125 pounds to market weight--usually about 230 pounds.

The goal of the 4-H market hog project is to encourage integrity, sportsmanship, cooperation and an ability to communicate through activities such as demonstrations, talks, judging events, tours and exhibits.

Don't expect to make a big profit on your project. Your profit or loss will depend on the cost of the pigs when you start the project, the cost of the feed used, other costs (such as veterinarian and equipment bills), and the price you receive for your hogs when you sell them.

We have shown pigs at the Orange County Fair for two years. Though we did not make a lot of money, we have had a lot of fun and we have learned a lot about these interesting animals.



Pig Books
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Swine Information
What sound do pigs make? (56K).
Why raising a pig is fun
Breeds of pigs
A healthy pig
Evaluating feeder pigs
Proper Weight
Feed
Showmanship
Housing, equipment, and supplies
Cost of raising a Pig
Resources

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Why raising a pig is fun
Raising a pig is fun because you get to interact with a somewhat large but usually gentle animal. If you have the opportunity to raise a pig, it will definitely get you in shape, as you are supposed to walk your animal every day (to get it used to walking before the judge). You also have to clean out the pen on a regular basis. The next time you get on the floor to do your stomach crunches, think about taking a cute little porker on a walk instead!
Also, if you are part of a 4-H project, you will get the chance to meet a lot of new and interesting people. We have met many wonderful friends through the project, and have taken some interesting field trips to learn more about pigs. Going to the fair is also fun--not only do you get to meet lots of other kids who have raised pigs, we have enjoyed the opportunity to share information about pigs with the many people who walk through the barns.

Finally, as you may know, famous health spas offer hundred-dollar mud baths to clean and refresh your skin. But if you get a pig, you will be able to get a free, all natural mud bath any day of the week! This is not a project for people who like to be clean--but it you can handle a little mud, if you have the free time, and if you enjoy animals, this might just be the project for you!



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Breeds of Pigs
Eight major breeds of hogs are commonly used for breeding in the United States. In general, the five dark breeds--Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, Poland China, and Spot are known and used for their siring ability and potential to pass along their durability, leanness, and meatiness to offspring. The three white breeds-- Chester White, Landrance, and Yorkshire are sought after for their reproductive and mothering abilities.
Yorkshire: The most sought after breed, Yorks are good mothers and produce large litters. They exhibit a long, big frame and are white with erect ears.

Chester White: Solid white, these pigs have medium sized, droopy ears. They usually have large litters and sought for their mothering ability. Boars of this breed are usually aggressive.

Berkshire: Black with six white points (nose, tail, and legs), these hogs have erect ears and a short, dished snout. They work well in enclosed facilities and are noted for their siring ability.

Duroc: These hogs, noted for their fast growth and good feed efficiency, are a reddish color with droopy ears. On the average, this breed needs less feed to make a pound of muscle than the other breeds.

Hampshire: These hogs are black with a white belt that extends from one front leg, over the shoulder, and down the other front leg. They have erect ears and are popular for their lean, meaty carcasses.

Poland China: Like the Berkshire, this breed has six white points on a black body. They have medium sized droopy ears and produce meaty carcasses with large loin eyes.

Spot: White with black spot, this breed has the same type of ears as the Poland China. These hogs are known for producing pigs with a high growth rate.

Landrance: Like the other white hogs, this breed is known for the sow's mothering ability. They have very large, floppy ears, are long-bodied, and have the highest weaned average of any breed, as well as the highest average post-weaning survival rate.

No breed of swine is superior to the others. You should select pig based on its physical characteristics and the performance of its relatives (if you can get that information). Good quality feeder pigs should appear healthy, thrifty, vigorous, and alert.

In our two years in the project, we have had three Durocs and one Hampshire. Other members of our project have also had Yorkshires. Yorks are neat but they do get sun-burned, so if you get one you should plan on buying suntan lotion for your pig!



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A healthy pig
It is important to maintain the health of your pig. The first 2 or 3 weeks are critical, so you should check your pigs several times each day during this period. Strong appetites, body temperatures of 102.5° F, sleek haircoats, and tightly curled tails are all signs of a healthy pig. Healthy pigs are active and alert with bright looks in their eyes.
A pig will give you many clues when it isn't feeling well. some of the clues are poor appetite, guantness, rough hair coat, a dull look in the eyes, excessive coughing, diarrhea, inactivity and lameness.

If you think a pig is sick, take its rectal temperature. If it is 2 degrees or more above normal, call a veterinarian immediately.

A common problem with pig is stress. Hauling, vaccinating, introducing it to strange surroundings and strange pigs can scare or stress a pig. When a pig is stressed, it will be more susceptible to sickness. It may eat less feed and grow slower. It is important to minimize stress, especially when you first get your pig home. Some common diseases are pneumonia, pseudo rabies (mad itch), and swine dysentery. Swine can also have external parasites, such as lice and mange mites, and internal parasites which live inside the pig's body. If your pig looks or acts sick, call a veterinarian immediately. There are many medications that are very effective in treating swine ailments, but you have to start early in the illness.



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Evaluating feeder pigs
What makes a good pig? When evaluating pigs, two major areas must be considered: body composition and structural soundness. Body composition refers to the degree of muscling and the "finish". When viewed from the behind, the muscles of the ham region should be long and thick, with the thickest point through the stifle (interior leg). There should be a good deal of spread or width between the hind legs, indicating ham muscling. Finish refers to the amount of fat over the muscles of a mature (125 - 250 lb.) pig.
When evaluating structural soundness, the judge will look at the pigs' feet and legs, body cavity and topline. The body cavity should be relatively deep, long and wide, giving the pig plenty of body capacity.



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Proper weight
You will want a pig that has the proper amount of finish (fat cover) by fair time. Your pig should weigh between 200 and 240 pounds. Healthy pigs will gain from 1.5 to 1.8 pounds per day if fed properly. Feeder pigs that weight about 50 pounds at the start of the project usually make the best 4-H market hogs.
If your pig is to be marketed at your county fair or show, you may need to consider the date of this event in selecting your pig. For example, if you have 106 days to feed your pig, you will need to start your project with a feeder pig that weighs at least 50 pounds (106 x 1.6 pounds per day = 170 pound gain; 50 pounds + 170 pounds gain = 220-pound market hog). If your pig gains more weight per day, for example 1.7 pounds per day, it will end a bit heavier but still within the acceptable range (< 250 pounds).



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Feed
Pigs are non-ruminant animals. They have a single stomach in contrast to such animals as cattle and goats. To grow rapidly and efficiently, swine need a high energy, concentrated grain diet that is low in fiber (cellulose) and is supplemented with adequate protein.
Farm grains are the most common and best source of energy feeds for swine. Corn is an excellent energy feed, and is ideal for finishing feed because it is high in digestible carbohydrates, low in fiber, and is very tasty to pigs! But corn alone will not keep pigs growing and healthy. Corn must be supplemented with vitamins to keep pigs healthy.

Other good sources of feed are barley, oats, and wheat. But like corn. all these sources should be supplemented with protein supplements. Some people add antibacterial compounds to their feed to slow the growth of harmful bacteria that occurs naturally in most feeds. In low levels, these compounds increase the growth of pigs and lower feeding costs. They benefit younger pigs (under 100 to 125 pounds) more than finishing hogs. If you decide to use an antibacterial compound, make sure that you pay attention to the withdrawal period listed on the label (the withdrawal period is the amount of time that medicated feeds must be removed from a hog's diet before slaughter).

Pigs weighing 40 to 125 pounds are referred to as growing pigs. From 125 pounds to market weight (about 230 pounds) pigs are called finishing pigs. As a pig grows, the total amount of dietary protein it needs each day also increases; pigs should be switched from the grower (nutrient dense/more protein) to the finisher (less dense) diet when they weigh about 125 pounds.

Pigs should be self-fed (given all the feed they will eat) throughout the feeding period. Self-feeding allows a pig to grow as fast as possible. The daily intake of pigs of different.

Water is the most important part of a pig's diet. One-half to two-thirds of a pig's body is made up of water. Pigs should be supplied with as much clean, fresh water as they will drink. Pigs can live longer without feed than without water.



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Showmanship
In addition to raising your pig for market, you may also want to show your pig at the fair. Usually you begin training your pig several weeks before the show. You must train your pig to move easily at a walk. Working with your pig ahead of time will help you and the pig to know what to expect when the actual judging takes place.
Before the show you will want to groom your pig. Grooming consists of washing your pig and clipping the hair from the tail and ears (especially the inside of the ears). You would also make sure that the feet are clean, and that there is no sawdust on its back or legs.

Here are some tips for the show ring:


enter the show ring promptly when your class is called
know where the judge is at all times
when moving your pig, have a cane in one hand; guide your pig with the curved end of the cane
keep a small brush in your pocket to use to remove any sawdust or dirt than may get on your pig
drive your pig gently behind the front flank or on the side to move it forward
never hit the pig on the back, rump, or snout
keep the pig between you and the judge; the pig should be kept 10 to 15 feet away from the judge
when showing your pig, stay out of large groups--try to keeping your pig walking and in open spaces where the judge can see it
smile!

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Housing, equipment, and supplies
You will need to consider three things when designing housing for your pigs. First, pigs need a clean, dry, draft-free area under a roof to sleep. Second, pigs have specific space requirements that vary according to their weight. If pigs are crowded, they will be stressed, resulting in decreased growth rates. Finally, pigs--like people--have an ideal temperature at which they are most comfortable. This is called the thermoneutral zone. The ideal temperature for a growing pig is around 70° F; the ideal temperature for a finishing swine is slightly cooler, about 60° F. If the temperature falls below this ideal zone some types of bedding, such as wood shavings, should be used to keep the sleeping area warm. When the temperature rises well above 70° F, misters of water will help to cool your pigs.
Essential equipment includes:

small, covered sleeping area
a hog feeder
water barrel
Equipment you will need for showing:
garden hose (to wash off pig)
rubber boots
scrub brush
small brush that fits in the pocket of your pants
mild soap, such as Orvus
clippers
cane
rags (to wash out ears and wipe off feet)
water bucket and feed pan

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Cost of raising a pig
Assuming you have a place for your pig to stay, the remaining costs associated with the project are fairly reasonable. The largest expense may be in buying the piglet. In our area, an eight week old pig, weighing around 40 - 50 pounds, is $80. Feed typically runs about $8 - $10 per 50 pound bag, and one bag will usually last two growing pigs about a week. You will also want to buy some straw or wood chips for your pig to sleep on. An estimate for growing a market pig (approximately 12 weeks) is $200.


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Resources--for more information
Most of the material for this report has come from Your 4-H Market Hog Project, Iowa State University, University Extension, January, 1992.
Each swine breed association also has its own publication; for further information, see the source referenced above.

I did not witness the shooting, but I was on the scene directly afterwards. The victim was quiet, sitting still, and everyone else in the area was mad as hell at the cops. Every single person that I talked to said that the man was not creating a disturbance or posing any sort of threat to anybody, much less an armed police officer, and that it was unneccesary for the cop to tazer the man. Several witness expressed that they wished to testify in court that the officer's attack was innappropriate.
The man was charged with "public disturbance" and was out on the streets again the next day.

As to the injuries and the photo and response to the critics:
tazers hurt, even if they don't tear up alot of skin. The man's hand is swollen and he hit the ground pretty hard. Also, he was unlawfully attacked and detained, which is pretty traumatic by the way. His friend was also assaulted by the officer and hopefully we will have pictures of the LARGE bruises he sustained. You can read more when this hits the newspapers. Thanks to indybay for providing a forum for REAL news to be reported.

It isn't ok for cops to just tazer somebody for walking away from a cop. If you are not being detained or arrested, you have the right to not talk to a cop.
If cops can just tazer somebody for not coming when called (bad doggy, no biscuit), then you're basically saying it's ok to torture innocent people.

Tasers: A reassessment
Report on dangerous tasers
http://www.indybay.org/uploads/sj-taser-review.pdf

Actually it is OK to tazer them just for that. Your article is great evidence on the Officers behalf. Ten witnesses saw man willfully disobey the Officers orders. Pretty cut and dry. I''m sure this post has already been forwarded to his Department. In case he doesn't find the time to thank you, I will on his behalf.

just to get a taste of his own medicine

to you who keeps posting stupid stuff: what's your angle?
do you just enjoy suffering, as long as it is someone else's?
are you against liberty?
if a cop orders you to lay face-down on the ground while he ties your wrists with plastic ties so tight that it not only hurts but cuts off blood-circulation, would you do it?

to those out there who condone police brutality against non-violent dissenters, you are in for a nasty reality check when martial law becomes the norm. it is actions like those of officer cashman that conditions us to become used to that form of enforcement: pain compliance. this is wrong and needs to be kept in check or else we will be living in a police state very soon. stay informed and RECOGNIZE A FASCIST REGIME!

The training on how to use tazers also includes getting zapped by one.

maybe he needs another one---maybe its been too long and he forgot, or maybe the first zap was like a frontal lobotomy---and I wonder if the 'zap' in tranining is equal to the one that's usu. perpetrated on the alleged 'criminal'???

check out this report
http://www.indybay.org/uploads/sj-taser-review.pdf

I am simply telling you people what the laws and court decisions are regarding certain issues. It is quit obvious not many people here know what police abuse and excessive force is. Now you may not agree with the Officers actions but in most of the incidents raised on this site, the Officers did nothing wrong and their actions were legal and within policy. Basically, if you don't do exactly as the cop says, you are subject to being struck with a baton, pepper sprayed, or in some cases tazered. I understand your frustration when these cops are not punished but it's because they did nothing wrong. So rather than blame them, get the laws changed. Cops don't make the laws in this State. Take the Boyd case for example, legally the Officers acted properly and will be awarded medals for their heroic actions. OCC and Irizarry lead you people to believe that the Officers did not act within Department policy. Isn't it odd they never give you a direct quote of the policy? That's because anyone with half a brain would read that their actions were completely with the policy. Again, don't be mad when the Officers don't receive any punishment for their proper actions.
Lastly, yes I would do exactly as the Officer ordered me too (even knowing I did nothing wrong). The heat of the moment is not the time to argue. When the situation was over, I would address my concerns (if I had any).

No evidence, just a feeling that we will see the death of the Leica... of course, some one may buy the name, or not even... so there goes PanAm...

I met Susan Meiselas (link bellow) in 1983 in Nicaragua when I was a photojournalis in the local newspaper and she had two M something with wide angulars hanging from her neck. Then she was shooting color... at the time a revolutionary thing to do, to shoot color. She realy used the Leica system well in El Salvador and in Nicaragua under very dangerous situations. Interesting to see that Leicas, black and white and even film is now so far away...and fading...

It has been my experience that cops ROUTINELY BREAK THE LAW, and then maybe drop the charges after the damage is done, if they don't think they can get away with their crime.
If you can fiind and post the part of the law that says that it is ok for cops to TORTURE INNOCENT PEOPLE with taser guns, it would be greatly appreciated.
Meanwhile, have fun lying face-down on the ground, hog-tied by the po', falsely accused of whatever, because you didn't STAND UP FOR TRUTH AND RIGHTS FOR ALL.

Again, baseless charges, please provide examples of people being tortured by Tazers. I understand you think anyone who is hit by a tazer was tortured but unfortunately for you, you view is in the minute minority.
LOL, have fun pulling the barbs out of you chest as you stand up for the rights of others. I'm sure they will sent you emails thanking you...LOL....

I was one of the witnesses who saw the Arcata Police Officer Ed Cashman use his tazer on a youngman Saturday night, May, 21, 2005. I was standing on the corner of H street on the plaza when the officer arrived and was standing in the middle of the street demanding that the man "COME HERE". The reply of The young man was " I did not do anything, I did not break the law." The young man was not threatening in any way. The officer asked him again to "COME HERE", The young man said again, "I did not do anything, I did not break the law."
I am no lawyer, or know alot about civil codes, but I am an educated citizen, and what I saw happen subsequently, in my mind, was a misuse of power, and downright brutality.
It is hard to make a judgement about what you think is wrong or right in an incident like this, unless you see it for yourself, as I did.
We must ask, did the young man have a right to be told why he was being called forth by officer Cashman?

THE STORY CONTINUES_
When the young man began to walk away, yes I said WALK, not run, officer Cashman ran forward toward him. At this point, Another man walked forth and was yelling to leave the young man alone because he did not do anything wrong. The Officer at this point raised his big heavy maglite at the man and shoved the man away with his elbow. It was at this point that even I felt frightened, but not by the man shouting his side of the truth, but by the officers unruly behavior. There were several people standing in front of the liquor store at the moment that Officer Cashman whipped out his flashlight (only a few feet away from us), several were women, I included. The officer seemed out of control, with no warning to innocent standbyers as to what he was doing or going to do next.
After the Officer elbowed the second man, he proceeded toward the young man who he had initially called to in the street, the young man was beginning to walk up H street, around the corner of the liquor store. Once again, he was not running, had he ran from Officer Cashman he would have been long gone earlier, becasue the officer called him from at least 25 feet away.
As the young man turned the corner, Officer Cashman behind him, I and a few other witnesses also turned the corner. I knew that I had to witness what I was already feeling as "abuse and misuse of authority". At this point, with NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER... NO "STOP I AM GOING TO SHOOT"......, NO "IF YOU DON'T STOP WALKING AWAY I AM GOING TO HAVE TO"....NOTHING.....The Officer said NOTHING, just pulled out his tazer and shot the young man in the middle of the chest, at this point the young man was on the ground, body unable to move, he could only talk, in which the young man wailed in pain........
I will be straight forward with all of you who read this, I had just come from a very nice dinner with good friends, I was planning on having a fun and peaceful night, but then I witnessed this incident. I could have turned my back and let Arcata Police Department get away with these unruly tactics, but as a responsible and caring citizen, I am telling you that what happened on that night was WRONG. There were several ways in which the situation could have been handled differently. Officer Cashman himself, by the quizical look in his face, seemed uncertain as to whether or not he did the right thing after tazing the young man.
DO CITIZENS, WHO ARE DOING NOTHING THREATENING, DESERVE A WARNING, AND A CHANCE TO OBEY THE OFFICERS UNCERTAIN COMMANDS, BEFORE THEY ARE ABOUT TO GET SHOT WITH A TAZER?

I too witnessed this incident, and felt similarly about the irrational behavior of Officer Cashman. Everything was happening very quickly, and it appeared that Cashman felt under pressure and intimidated (especially by the other man who was yelling for Cashman to lower the tazer gun) - so he acted impulsively and tazered the young man without warning. There seemed to have been MANY other ways Cashman could have handled this situation that would NOT have resulted in tazering that young man.

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Jane, did you ever consider why the Officer was trying to stop and talk to the man? There are hundreds of valid reasons that would make you account of the incident completely lawful. Did someone call and describe the man as being involved in a crime? Did they say he had a weapon? Happens all the time, people driving by "think" they see something and call the police with limited information. Did a local resident or business owner call and say the man was involved in something? Was someone angry with the man and call and say he did something? Did the Officer think recognized the man as a wanted fugitive? Had the Officer fought with the man before? Did the man call in a bogus call on him self? Did the man commit some sort of traffic violation? Was the man involved in some criminal activity before you all saw him? Earlier in the day? days before? This list goes on and on.

Now, not only does the Officer have to deal with that man, but his accomplice butts in and tries to interfere. Why? He knows his friend is wanted? He too knows his friend has a gun? He too was involved in the crime?

Does the Officer know his back-up is busy can't respond quickly? Are other Officers and the community in danger if the man escapes?

The Officer warned the man at least two times by your own words. The man can't say he did see or hear him because you say the man acknowledged the Officer.

I understand your perception of the incident, but I would hope you also take into account the Officers state of mind too.

Would not it have been easier for the man to simply stop? Is less than a minute out of your night more important than the safety of the community? If the Officers was wrong or had received bad information about the man, he would have been on his way in less than a minute.

<"DO CITIZENS, WHO ARE DOING NOTHING THREATENING, DESERVE A WARNING, AND A CHANCE TO OBEY THE OFFICERS UNCERTAIN COMMANDS, BEFORE THEY ARE ABOUT TO GET SHOT WITH A TAZER?>"

The man was given warning, and had plenty of chances to stop. Kind of a good lesson for all the on lookers, next time don't assume to know what the Officer is thinking or had been told. Simply stop and address the situation. If you feel you have been "wronged" file a complaint later.

The man who was tasered was taken into custody and released. Had there been some legitimate reason to detain him, they would have.
You continuosly plead for everyone to take on the perspective of the police, yet you don't seem to comprehend the SERIOUSNESS of this unprovoked, potentially deadly assault on an innocent citizen. I suggest that you read the study on tasers that is linked earlier in the comment stream.

In order to investigate something or someone, sometimes the police detain people. If they are wrong or no further investigation is necessary the person is released. That in no way invalidates the Officers initial actions. Was the man issued a citation. I can only assume he was. In that case he was arrested and then released.

< " Had there been some legitimate reason to detain him, they would have. " >

The detention started as soon as the Officer told the man to "Stop." So you see they DID detain him.

You are the one that refuses to consider the facts of the case and the Officers state of mind. You may think it is irrelevant but it is not.

I just gave you many examples and you still call this unprovoked. LOL.. if the man had just raped your wife, killed your kids, and was on his way to kill your mother, would it still be unprovoked?????????

JD, please state the facts which lead you to believe this man was truly innocent of criminal activity in the minutes, days, or years prior to this incident. Thx in advance........

"Innocent until proven guilty"
There was no warrant for arrest, and even after incapacitating the man, and doing whatever else they did to him and his possessions outside of public view, they had to let him go.

This behaviour on the part of the police sets a DANGEROUS PRECEDENT if it goes unchecked. If you, JQP, are really interested in the best interests of the police and everyone else, then you should FULLY SUPPORT AN INVESTIGATION of the incident.
I'm fairly confident that there will be an investigation, with or without your support.

The man had no gun, no warrants, and had not raped or killed anybody, as you, John Q Public, suggested may be the case.
The man was skateboarding.

Ahhhh, finally some adds a little more evidence. Skateboarding, hmmm, could that be a violation of the law or some City Ordinance? Wouldn't the man have an obligation to stop and talk to the Officer when requested? Sounds like a lawful detention and citation that then man obviously did not want. Is it ok not to stop now?
Thx for the info...explains a lot that others on this site did not want us to know....LOL... the truth comes out......
If this is true and he was committing a violation, then the Officers action were lawful and probably within policy. Ever wonder why the police win 99.6 percent of all the lawsuits against them?

Lets get down to the real deal here.

Police are weak and cannot defend themselves without

weapons or "backup" other members of their street gang.

You say skateboarding may be a violation a local ordinance and

I say anyone who stops anyone for such a petty reason is a

on a power trip.

Oh yes Police only enforce the laws. huh I seem to remeber

Nazi war criminals saying they only followed orders.

Hmm so NO it's not o.k to stop him.

And Police win 99.6 percent of the lawsuits against them

because Judges are your buddies, they dont work unless the

Police bring in people to be charged, so it's a case of I'll pat

your back if you pat mine.

If the Police were real men they wouldnt need tasers.

AS I stated previously, I did not see the incident, but showed up afterwards. IF you read the eye-witness accounts, they state that he was WALKING away from the cop, having NOT been advised that he was being detained.
When I said that he was "skateboarding," I simply meant that he had probably sometime that day been riding on his skateboard, and was still in possession of the skateboard.
Interesting attempt to twist the meaning of my words though. Very creative.

believe it or not the government hires people LIKE JQP, and possibly has hired him, to write stupid boardheaded shit like he does. too bad imcs feel guilty abut editing idiots like him as they quite intentionally disrupt any real activist dialogue

Officially the police ofetn speak of Tazers as if they are a wqeapon of last resort that is better than using guns but they are frequently starting to use them in cases where they definitely would not have used a gun if they didnt have the Tazer.

Tazer doesnt want its products to be seen as deadly weapons and wants to market more of them to nonPolice. Police are worried since may tazer products will work against police even if theyare wearing bullet proff vests and other protective gear. But, there is no way the police can argue for Tazer's o not be sold to the general public at the same time that they use Tazers in cases like this one. If police supporters start arguing that its ojk to Tazer zomeone for merely walking away form being questioned they are essentially arguing that getting hit with a Tazer is a lesser offense than assault with a fist or batton. By forcing blind supporters of the police to argue that Tazering of a kid in the case mentioend above is ok, they give ammunition to Tazer to argue that its ok to sell more products to teh general public and they also give a good legal case to the argument that Tazering a police officer shoudl also bee seen as a minor offense (a misdomener) rather than something serious.

If you want to argue its ok to Tazer a kid for walking away from a cop, you are also arguing that Tazering a cop is a minor offense. If the police and their supporters want to go down that road get prepared for protesters carrying Tazers since if its not that serious then Tazering a corrupt cop trying to violate our civil liberties should only get a protester a ticket (rather thanarrest or any time in jail).

The Civil Liberties Monitoring Project will focus on the subject of Taser
stun guns on its radio program, the Civil Liberties Hour, June 1 from 7-8 pm on KMUD.

Invited guests include representatives of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s
department, Amnesty International and the San Jose-based Coalition for
Justice and Accountability. This will be a call-in show.

anyone who uses a Tazer at all is a woosey!

> Tasers: A reassessment
> Report on dangerous tasers
> http://www.indybay.org/uploads/sj-taser-review.pdf

Although the report springs from the facts of San Jose, Arcata may face similar problems with police use of Tasers. Tasers were sold to the San Jose public as an alternative to deadly force. Now the public has found that police routinely use Tasers in situations such as the one described here, where use of deadly force as the next option was highly unlikely (by any reasonable police). Meanwhile Tasers have failed to reduce police use of deadly force in San Jose. In fact police shootings have gone UP since Tasers were introduced, and the trend shows no sign of slowing.

Also, the page where the report was originally posted (http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/05/1736763.php) contains comments that are immediately relevant to this case. For example:

> International law enforcement standards, agreed to by
> the USA, state that all use of force must be
> proportionate to the threat posed, as well as designed
> to avoid unwarranted pain or injury. Clearly, shocking
> someone with 50,000 volts because they merely said "No"
> to police does not meet these standards. Merely not
> complying with an officer's command is never a capital
> offense, i.e. punishable by death - except in fascist
> police states with utter contempt for human rights.
> That's not US, is it?
>
> Perhaps that's why Ray Samuels, Newark Chief of Police,
> says:
>
> "I can't imagine a worse circumstance than to have a
> death attributed to a Taser in a situation that didn't
> justify lethal force. It's not a risk I'm willing to
> take."
>
> (reported in the Daily Review at http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_2546330)

Judging from the eyewitness account given above, we're forced to conclude that the policeman did not truly believe that the young man was a serious threat to himself or the public. Would any competent police face a serious threat by merely calling out "Come here"? So the Taser was used not for safety of police or public, but as pain compliance to a ridiculously ambiguous voice command. The young man made it clear that he interpreted "Come here" as a consensual stop (not a detainment) when he repeatedly replied "I did not do anything, I did not break the law" - and then walked away, as the law says he is free to do in a consensual stop. Despite receiving those clear communications from the young man, at no time did the policeman tell the young man that he was not free to go. Instead, the policeman stopped all verbal communication and reached for his (potentially lethal) push-button pain compliance weapon.

Therefore, from the account given, there is no doubt that this was excessive force. Yet records show that in such cases police are rarely charged, and almost never convicted: US laws, prosecutors, and judges simply do not allow that. For details, see the section called "Local Criminal Prosecution" of the 1998 report by Human Rights Watch called "Shielded from Justice: Police Brutality and Accountability in the United States" at http://www.hrw.org/reports98/police/uspo31.htm

Although their Mafia-style "code of silence" does not allow them to publicly admit it, no modern police department with even a minimum of professionalism would uphold this policeman's actions as model policing. Smarter departments know that police that work this way will soon lead the city to a wrongful death lawsuit. But such departments are scarce - and getting scarcer every day.

Those caring and concerned witnesses in Arcata must realize that police will not stop the brutality on their own. Neither courts nor public officials will hold police accountable for their actions. The power to rein in rampaging police lies only with the public that pays and arms the police. If you don't pull the plug on police torture via handheld remote-control electric chairs, who will? Continue to tell others what you've witnessed. Then follow up the education with organization - and action.

LOL

Cops are nothing but scardy cats.

Crying like babies when they dont get their way.

Maybe when they grow up, they will understand simple human

decency is just plain common sense.

But I guess some people just never grow up!