cop abuse or just cop stupid?

[Dave]

Here in MI cops stop a vehicle for expired plates, a misdomeanor, 3 or 4 in vehical. One, a 16 yr. old gets out and runs (NOT the driver) and the others stay put. A cop takes after him, finaly catchs up but for some reason has to use his taser. The kid dies before he gets to hospital. Seems he had slight mental problems and some pysical also, of course the cop couldn't know this. But why chase him anyway, the others could be interagated to give him up IF it turns out the kid was wanted or whatever. Seems really dumb on the cops part, they have both been laid off for the investigation.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[stonewall56]

He could have been a fleeing armed felon that had just committed a murder. Can you imagine the headlines if that was the case and he got away?

[Bill F]

Most cops are part of the problem.

[Faulkner]

Most cops are part of the problem.

That didn't take long . . . arbitrary cop bashing on the 3rd post of this thread.

[John Kepler]

That didn't take long . . . arbitrary cop bashing on the 3rd post of this thread.

Premature.....maybe. "Arbitrary"?....I don't think so. There's enough detail to date to raise at least one eyebrow.

[Bill F]

just had a cop get on the stand and lie to convict me of a $225 wood cutting ticket.Most cops are cut from the same cloth as crooks.

[edlmann]

Here in MI cops stop a vehicle for expired plates, a misdomeanor, 3 or 4 in vehical. One, a 16 yr. old gets out and runs (NOT the driver) and the others stay put. A cop takes after him, finaly catchs up but for some reason has to use his taser. The kid dies before he gets to hospital. Seems he had slight mental problems and some pysical also, of course the cop couldn't know this. But why chase him anyway, the others could be interagated to give him up IF it turns out the kid was wanted or whatever. Seems really dumb on the cops part, they have both been laid off for the investigation.

Basic psychology.

If you want to make someone chase you, run.

[noslack 327]

There is no law that says you have to talk to the police, It is not a crime to run on foot from them if you do not wish to speak to them.

[Art]

No there are situations where you are required to identify yourself to the police, traffic stops are in that category. Running from the police is often viewed as evidence of "guilty knowledge" or "suspicious activity." Fighting with the police is always a bad idea.

As to Tasers and stun guns, they were originally marketed as no lethal. I'm sorry but anything that whacks somebody with 50,000 volts might kill them. Now they are referred to as less lethal. Unfortunately a lot of cops still look on them as "non lethal" and are too quick to use them. Night sticks and saps fall in the same category IMHO.

For the record I think the police showed bad judgement in this instance. Did I ever show bad judgement when I was "on the job?" Yes but fortunately nobody died.

[Tom in N.J.]

Tasers are prohibited weapons in New Jersey, that includes police officers. With people chocking to death, in handcuffs, due to pepper spray, they figured an electrical torture device was just asking for trouble.