This week, a videotape was made public showing Fort Worth police Tasing and kicking a man. Now a Tarrant County civil rights group says it's becoming a disturbing trend.
The man who was Tased has filed a complaint against two officers for excessive force and perjury. The video sparked an internal affairs investigation.
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Showing posts with label taser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taser. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Friday, June 6, 2008
Campaign against the Taser
CATT spokesperson Marie Dyhrberg called on the Commissioner of Police to delay his decision on the Taser until the public has had the opportunity to view and comment on all relevant information about the trial, not just the summaries made available so far, which the Ombudsman has called "sanitised":
'I have read the summaries and compared them with the tactical options report accounts. In my view, many of the summaries are extremely brief, and have the effect of "sanitising" the original reports.' – Chief Ombudsman
The criticism has been welcomed by anti-Taser campaigners such as lawyer Marie Dyhrberg.
"The police have not been open and transparent. They have been very selective about in what information they have decided to provide to the New Zealand public," she says.
'I have read the summaries and compared them with the tactical options report accounts. In my view, many of the summaries are extremely brief, and have the effect of "sanitising" the original reports.' – Chief Ombudsman
The criticism has been welcomed by anti-Taser campaigners such as lawyer Marie Dyhrberg.
"The police have not been open and transparent. They have been very selective about in what information they have decided to provide to the New Zealand public," she says.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Taser debate reignited by Christchurch police shooting | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz
Taser debate reignited by Christchurch police shooting | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz
A senior police officer fired several shots at a 37 year old after the man reportedly charged the police office with a claw hammer.
NZ First law and order campaigner Ron Mark raised this issue as "proof of that the Taser is needed".
But barrister and anti-taser campaigner Marie Dyhrberg says there would be consequences from not having strict guidelines on the use of the Taser.
She says it could be used to make people comply with police rather than for containing someone threatening violence.
Dyhrberg says there needs to be better consultation about when to use them.
A report on the effectiveness of Tasers is due out in December.
A senior police officer fired several shots at a 37 year old after the man reportedly charged the police office with a claw hammer.
NZ First law and order campaigner Ron Mark raised this issue as "proof of that the Taser is needed".
But barrister and anti-taser campaigner Marie Dyhrberg says there would be consequences from not having strict guidelines on the use of the Taser.
She says it could be used to make people comply with police rather than for containing someone threatening violence.
Dyhrberg says there needs to be better consultation about when to use them.
A report on the effectiveness of Tasers is due out in December.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Police want to use Tasers
And you have to wonder. As Marie Dyhrberg has pointed out, the UN has declared the device as an implement of torture. When you see reality TV cops using Tasers or the Polish immigrant shocked to death for nothing other than expediency - you have to wonder if Taser use is any different to other forms of torture.
If the police in NZ add the Taser to their arsenal it will no replace guns but relatively harmless pepper spray.
It is not the exception that should make the rule in matters of humanity. Police culture would be corrupted by the power of this machine that induces extreme agony. Police should never be trained to punish - that is up to judges and juries.
If the police in NZ add the Taser to their arsenal it will no replace guns but relatively harmless pepper spray.
It is not the exception that should make the rule in matters of humanity. Police culture would be corrupted by the power of this machine that induces extreme agony. Police should never be trained to punish - that is up to judges and juries.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tasers a form of torture - UN report - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz
Tasers a form of torture - UN report - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz
'A lawyer leading the charge against police adopting Taser stun guns is welcoming a United Nations report that describes the 50,000-volt stun guns as a "form of torture".'
Marie Dyhrberg from the Campaign Against The Taser advises police to take the UN report seriously.
'A police national headquarters spokesman said the overseas report was "not especially relevant" to the New Zealand Taser trial. "But that doesn't mean we don't take any notice of it."'
We hope the NZ Police do take account of the advice on the UN Committee against Torture. The classification of the Taser as a device of torture is realistic. The way in which inexperienced or unfair police use evolves with this device dehumanizes the police as a whole.
'A lawyer leading the charge against police adopting Taser stun guns is welcoming a United Nations report that describes the 50,000-volt stun guns as a "form of torture".'
Marie Dyhrberg from the Campaign Against The Taser advises police to take the UN report seriously.
'A police national headquarters spokesman said the overseas report was "not especially relevant" to the New Zealand Taser trial. "But that doesn't mean we don't take any notice of it."'
We hope the NZ Police do take account of the advice on the UN Committee against Torture. The classification of the Taser as a device of torture is realistic. The way in which inexperienced or unfair police use evolves with this device dehumanizes the police as a whole.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Questions in the House
Thursday, 16 August 2007, 11:58 am
Press Release: Office of the Clerk
Questions For Oral Answer - Thursday, 16 August 2007
(excerpt)
7. HONE HARAWIRA to the Minister of Police: Has she been advised of the statement from Marie Dyhrberg that “the taser is increasingly being deployed against mentally disturbed individuals”; if so, what research has been undertaken about the long term effects of taser guns on people with mental health problems?
Press Release: Office of the Clerk
Questions For Oral Answer - Thursday, 16 August 2007
(excerpt)
7. HONE HARAWIRA to the Minister of Police: Has she been advised of the statement from Marie Dyhrberg that “the taser is increasingly being deployed against mentally disturbed individuals”; if so, what research has been undertaken about the long term effects of taser guns on people with mental health problems?
Monday, April 16, 2007
Full Public Disclosure
Anti Taser campaigner Marie Dyhrberg has claimed that the public are not being given all the information on tasers in the police trials of the weapon. The latest police report on the taser stun gun trial shows it has been discharged 13 times since the trial began in September last year.
Marie Dyhrberg said the report does not include vital information, including whether any injuries were sustained in many of the incidents and is seeking publication under the Official Information Act.
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