Sacramento ACLU Questions Taser Use on Unarmed Woman

See http://www.aclusac.org/node/314

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Sacramento today said it is concerned that the use of a Taser to subdue a shoplifting suspect here Monday was unnecessary, and just another example of the "dangers" of using Tasers in a unregulated atmosphere.

Andrea Boarman was tased outside a Rancho Cordova store Monday as officers searched for a robbery suspect. Unarmed, and on the ground with two officers on top of her, Boarman was tased. She had a receipt for her purchase and during the melee the robber got away.

"Tasers cause excruciating pain and pose a risk of serious injuries or death. They should be used only when there is an imminent threat of serious physical harm to officers or other individuals," said ACLU Sacramento board member Allen Asch, quoting from the ACLU's position on Tasers.

"'Non-lethal' weapons pose serious and unique dangers to civil liberties. (They) can easily become instruments of torture or the gratuitous infliction of pain. In situations which do not pose an imminent threat of serious physical harm, the peace officers already have available sufficient weapons in their arsenals that are less risky and less easily subject to abuse, and that are equally effective as these new weapons," added Asch.

"The ACLU of Northern California has expressed concerns about Tasers and cautioned the need for strict regulation where they are in use. Tasers are less lethal than firearms, but are a significant level of force," said ACLU-NC Police Practices Director Allen Hopper.

ACLU Guidelines and Limitations on the Use of Tasers are available at http://www.aclunc.org/docs/criminal_justice/police_practices/aclu_of_northern...

http://newsblaze.com/story/20110120171533zzzz.nb/topstory.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ACLU
• Sacramento
• taser
• county
• sheriff
• andrea
• boarman
• innocent
• woman
• unarmed
• shoplifting
• mistaken
• identity
• Rancho
• Cordova
• store
• pharmacy
• cvs
• american
• civil
• liberties
• union
• chapter

[0scottweise18]

@SacramentoRealtor It's quite a stretch to say that being "verbally combative" is grounds for being tasered, since being "verbally combative" does not mean she was not physically complying to the police (otherwise, it would not be "verbally combative", just "combative").

[SacramentoRealtor]

@MyOverflow Oh boy.... Here we go with the first amendment crap. There are rights to voice your thoughts and then there is unnecessary, rude, out of hand and over the top. If the police, tell you to wait then you wait. If the police tell you to sit down then you sit down. If the police tell you to be quiet until things get sorted out then SHUT THE HELL UP. If you don't listen to the police, if you are combative with the police, if you resist the police YOU WILL LOSE EVERY TIME. And the Problem?

[MyOverflow]

@SacramentoRealtor "She was verbally combative right from the beginning."

I'm guessing the first amendment means nothing?

[debrmck]

@SacramentoRealtor I am giving you an example of the situation from a different prespective, you fool. I never said that this has really happened I was using a parable.

[debrmck]

@SacramentoRealtor You are refusing the very quotes of the police. He says that she became combative when they were arresting her for shoplifting. She was then placed in a chokehold and taken to the ground and then tasered. Get your timeline straight. You ar egetting bored because someone is using reason instead of giving away there rights as a citizen.

[SacramentoRealtor]

@SacramentoRealtor and the test I was given was a follow my finger test. But I still did as I was told.

[debrmck]

@SacramentoRealtor No I do not want the job but do want cops that respect their citizens rights.

[SacramentoRealtor]

@debrmck Now you are dreaming up crap about the police refusing to give you a drunk driving test. Come on........... Zzzzzzzz.........

This was fun for a little while, but you are getting off the subject and dreaming. Let's just forget it.

[SacramentoRealtor]

@debrmck I guess you don't want to listen to reason. You think she was taken to the ground for talking? I am bored now. You make no good points at all.