RE: the use of Tasers vs. something else...

It's just unclear what effects Tasers have. We can argue over their relative merits and sift through the scarce data out there -- a lot of it coming from the company itself -- and not really end up anywhere. But the recent uptick in media coverage, and the subsequent storm of blogospheric rage that follows each report, is in one way or another significant. We're seeing police forces all over the place relying on the supposed safety of Tasers and employing them in situations where the use of painful force is unwarranted -- the high-douchebaggery of Don't Taze Me, Bro did not require such a forceful response, nor did the student at UCLA last year, to name just a couple. Nor is the destruction of property at the same criminal level as potentially harming another individual.

The problem isn't necessarily with the Tasers themselves, but with the way police forces have reorganized their response tactics around this unproven technology, sometimes with horrific results, as with Mr. Dziekanski (and possibly the other suspect who died in Montreal that same week, after being Tasered). I fully understand the danger many police officers face in their daily work, and I respect what they do. But the "any weapon we've got" mentality is so short-sighted, so dangerous to society as a whole if those weapons are used irrationally and carelessly, even if just one person dies. If this continues, don't be surprised if in 10 years grandma jaywalkers are Tasered for "non-compliance."

The thing I don't get is, if Tasers are necessary to subdue people who behave in a threatening manner, what did the police do -before- the Taser was invented? I mean, it must have been horrible, all those chair-throwers out there destroying airport decor as the police stood by, helplessly watching, wishing, WISHING they had some options...

Tonye, TUS-

The original report is from a respected newspaper from southern Sweden (i.e., not a tabloid). It's also journalistic protocol in Sweden not to use actual names when reporting on sensitive issues. The Swedish article gives many more details about the broader context of antagonism between the guy and his wife's family. The American article was pretty anemic in comparison.

This is a nice detail from the original Swedish article that was left out of the American account:

"He was examined upon arrival before being taken in handcuffs to a cell covered in blood and feces."

Note, he was also a member of a Vespa club and likes to grow a "police mustache" before coming to the US.

Welcome to America!