My View: Why was use of a Taser necessary?

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on April 07, 2009 at 12:22 PM, updated April 07, 2009 at 12:24 PM

I have just finished reading your editorial "Brett Elder was on a tragic path." While the factors you present may have contributed significantly to the behavior exhibited by Elder on this tragic night, I do not see how they are at all relevant to the level of force police used.

Despite the finest parental training, the finest role modeling and the best possible environment, our children do not always turn out as we expect. I make no excuses for any contributions made by Elder's parents; they do however have my deepest sympathy.

The editorial asserts this situation was "life or death." Whose life? Whose death?
I have some understanding of the use of force. I was employed for more than 26 years as a resident care aide at psychiatric hospitals operated by the state before being injured during a patient assault in 2005. I have been unable to work ever since.

Many of these individuals were brought to the facility after aggressive behavior toward the police and/or others.

I often was called upon to physically manage adult patients' intent on injuring themselves and/or others. Most often they had no type of weapon. On rare occasions they were armed with objects such as pieces of furniture or broken glass. I was most often assisted by others but not always. Dangerous work, no doubt.

Elder, 15, was unarmed and made a threatening move. Apparently he could have killed one or all three of them with his bare hands.

I have nothing but the highest respect for those who wear a police uniform. However, with great power comes even greater responsibility. I have as great a sympathy for the officer(s) involved as I do the parents. I am certain it was never the intent or expectation that the action taken would result in anything other than peaceful resolution. I can readily believe that departmental policies and attitudes toward the use of Tasers influenced the officer(s) decision.

Nonetheless, I am not at all convinced the officer(s) responsible used reasonable and necessary force or that they were in danger of loss of life or limb.

I would like to hope they will give great thought to what happened that night and use their knowledge to change policy and attitude toward the deployment of what is certainly a weapon as defined by law.

Taser proponents will argue the devices do not cause death, and this may be true. It is undeniable that many have died during or shortly after having been shocked by a Taser. This would appear to make their use at the very least a contributing factor in some of these deaths. Given this, shouldn't using a Taser be seen as serious business meant to be used as the weapon it is defined by as law?

Police officers are trained in physical management techniques that provide them greater latitude than that which I was allowed to employ. They are provided tools I was never permitted to use. I have no doubt in private retrospect the officers have at least some doubts about the events of the evening despite what they must now do to justify their actions, to save their income and means of family support.

I do understand. I've been in similar situations.

My point is simple: Did the means justify the end? Was there any other approach to the situation? What can be done to minimize the possibility of this tragedy happening again?

What a sad situation, deserving of serious thought and consideration. Think again, Saginaw News, think again. Your blame is misdirected.

Wayne A. Koper is retired as a resident care aide at the Caro Center. He lives in Caro.