The human rights organization Amnesty International USA is one of the most vocal opponents of the taser. On its website, the organization claims more than 350 people have died in the U.S. after being shocked by police tasers. They say the weapons are being used as quote "tools of routine force rather than as an alternative to firearms."
Sargent Bill Phelan says that's not the case in Fayetteville and they're changing their taser rules just as a proactive measure.
"It is in response to some of the problems we've had across the U.S. We really haven't had significant problems with it at all and it's actually a great tool for law enforcement, but like any tool you have to use it appropriately....It's actually elminated a lot of confrontations especially with some individuals that could be quite dangerous and it's been deployed where other officers, without the choice, maybe they would have used deadly force. So in some cases, I say it's probably saved lives," said Phelan.
The old rule said police could tase anyone who displayed verbal non-compliance. For example, if an officer told you to put your hands up and you refused, you could have been tased. Now, the officer must percieve physical or verbal aggression before the weapon is used.
"If somebody's making verbal threats like I'm going to kill you or we're gonna fight and they've got their fists drawn up at that point you can deploy your taser.... I think the change in the policy is going to ensure there aren't any misuses of it," said Phelan.
Sargent Bill Phelan says that's not the case in Fayetteville and they're changing their taser rules just as a proactive measure.
"It is in response to some of the problems we've had across the U.S. We really haven't had significant problems with it at all and it's actually a great tool for law enforcement, but like any tool you have to use it appropriately....It's actually elminated a lot of confrontations especially with some individuals that could be quite dangerous and it's been deployed where other officers, without the choice, maybe they would have used deadly force. So in some cases, I say it's probably saved lives," said Phelan.
The old rule said police could tase anyone who displayed verbal non-compliance. For example, if an officer told you to put your hands up and you refused, you could have been tased. Now, the officer must percieve physical or verbal aggression before the weapon is used.
"If somebody's making verbal threats like I'm going to kill you or we're gonna fight and they've got their fists drawn up at that point you can deploy your taser.... I think the change in the policy is going to ensure there aren't any misuses of it," said Phelan.
