We all have to abide by the law

[Sly,Duck]

Well nearly all

Moat Death,

The inquest into his death heard that police fired shotgun-mounted XRep Tasers at Moat, which were not approved for use by the Home Office.

Do you think any policeman will get his hand slapped ?

[anotheoldgit]

Nice to see Gromit's usual response, always willing to stick up for the hard done to victim.

Well in this case Gromit your hard done to victim, was a psychopathic killer, who had already shot and killed one person, injured another and blinded for life a policeman.

Regarding the policemen in this case instead of looking into anyone of them being reprimanded, sacked, demoted, or prosecuted they should be awarded with a commendation.

[jake-the-peg]

It's too early to say and we don't know the deatail - I really can't see how anybody can make a judgement before the Police Complaints Authority investigation based on media reports.

It would be rather different if it came out if it were sanctioned by the Home secretary compared to if one of the policemen said "Oh great idea I've got something in the boot we've been testing".

Tasers are dangerous but not as dangerous as hand guns providing they are used as a last resort prior to firearms I can't see the problem

[Coobeastie]

The taser used whilst not approved by the Home Office as yet can still be used perfectly legally.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10598034

[Ankou]

"However, legally, police forces have discretion to use any equipment they see fit as long as the use of force is lawful, reasonable and proportionate"

so discussing the xrep is a bit pointless then really !!

[joeluke]

They could have pelted Moat with Fresh cream strawberry doughnuts for all I care, as long as it brought the standoff to an end without further loss of innocent life - which using the tasers did

[Gromit]

Seems that Northumbria Police are rather fond of Tasers.

They have discharged them more times that the Metropolitan Police and more times than West Yorkshire, North wales, Devon and Cornwall, Greater manchester, Gwent, Merseyside, Avon and Somerset Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cumbria and Hertfordshire - all put together.

http://news.bbcimg.co...3_taser_stats_466.gif

Looks like their weapon of first resort rather than last resort.

[joeluke]

.....and if it brings a dangerous suspect under control what's the problem?

[jake-the-peg]

The problem could be if they're used too routinely and start to be a first rather than a last resort.

Then it would only be a matter of time before someone innocent dies from a heart attack.

That's presumably why Gromit is remarking on the suspiciously high usage of them in Northumbria.

Do they really have more situations calling for them than the Met - or are they being too quick to reach for them?

[Old_Geezer]

We do not all have to abide by the law. On the contrary, we have a moral duty to stand up to bad law, and find the courage to participate in civil disobedience when the people are not being served correctly.

[jake-the-peg]

trouble is OG how you agree on what is a bad law eh?

Well it's easy you just look at your country's constitution...oh :C(

[RebelSouls]

Feeling ill sir here have a taser

http://menmedia.co.uk...ffering_epileptic_fit

[RebelSouls]

http://news.bbc.co.uk...yorkshire/7096456.stm

[Greedyfly]

It happens, we know. It shouldn't, we know.

[jake-the-peg]

So how do we stop it happening?

Is it a case perhaps of poor practise in some police areas

Perhaps we need a national police force and not a patchwork of police forces some of whom don't seem to be doing as well as others