12-year-old tased by police officer

[PiKA2001]

I don't really see the point of this discussion given the fact that policies are already in place stating that tasers shouldn't be used on minors. These child tasing incidents are rare and like I said upthread, "shouldn't be used" doesn't mean "absolutely no fuckin way, let the 12 year old kill an officer before even thinking of tasing her". This officer will have to justify why he did what he did, but he isn't automatically in the wrong for doing it. There is no such thing as a "standard" arrest because every situation has different variables and officers need to to adapt and adjust to every situation.

ETA- FLOUNCE!lol

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I don't really see the point of this discussion given the fact that policies are already in place stating that tasers shouldn't be used on minors. These child tasing incidents are rare and like I said upthread, "shouldn't be used" doesn't mean "absolutely no fuckin way, let the 12 year old kill an officer before even thinking of tasing her". This officer will have to justify why he did what he did, but he isn't automatically in the wrong for doing it.

This is a general discussion, not just about that specific 12 year old, and what constitutes discretion is always up for discussion.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

There is no such thing as a "standard" arrest because every situation has different variables and officers need to to adapt and adjust to every situation.

Police officers cannot adapt and adjust to the point where they violate policies and the law. There are some things that are considered "standard."

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Police officers cannot adapt and adjust to the point where they violate policies and the law. There are some things that are considered "standard."

I don't think anyone in this thread suggested that the police should do that at all. I know I didn't. Some things such as administrative policies (pay, vacation) and civil rights laws are "set in stone" but many policies involving actual field police work are not set in stone but act as more an official guideline to follow giving consideration to the officers discretion. No two situations are the same so to even suggest that a single "standard" policy can and should cover everything under the sun is ludicrous. Police need room to adjust and adapt.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I don't think anyone in this thread suggested that the police should do that at all. I know I didn't. Some things such as administrative policies (pay, vacation) and civil rights laws are "set in stone" but many policies involving actual field police work are not set in stone but act as more an official guideline to follow giving consideration to the officers discretion. No two situations are the same so to even suggest that a single "standard" policy can and should cover everything under the sun is ludicrous. Police need room to adjust and adapt.

Then you can understand why there always has been and always will be discussions of police practices and how far police are able to adjust and adapt. That is what some of us are doing.

Originally Posted by Kevin

Sure she looks 12, but if you told me she was 15, I'd have taken your word at it just as I did briefly from other sources before I did my own checking.

Still under the age of 18 which is why this is about age range as much as exact age.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Still under the age of 18 which is why this is about age range as much as exact age.

Different folks develop so differently that even 18 is a pretty arbitrary number when you get right down to it. How many restrictions do you want to place on officers in the field? Can you get them to go through umpteen mental checklists before deploying their taser while some hysterical little person is bullrushing them for attempting to make a lawful arrest? Especially when other adults are interfering? I don't really think so.

Step back and look at the whole situation instead of individual little factors. Was the officer outnumbered at least 3:1? Was it bad enough that he placed three people in custody? Did he reasonably fear for himself if he had lost control of the situation? So far, the St. Louis P.D. has said the actions taken were appropriate.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Step back and look at the whole situation instead of individual little factors.

That is what MysticCat and I (and a few others) have been trying to get everyone to do.