Officers told not to Taser 'extremely thin'

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

By J.D. GALLOP
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
Published by news-press.com on June 18, 2005

PALM BAY — Palm Bay police officers are now under orders to avoid shooting "extremely thin" people in the chest with stun guns after an unarmed 17-year-old was hospitalized earlier this month with a collapsed lung, possibly linked to the weapon, officials said.

Michael Hughes II, a 6-foot-3, 140-pound teen, was shot with the electronic stun gun, then handcuffed in his bedroom after a June 5 fight with his stepfather. About an hour later, Hughes complained of chest pains.

The teen — charged with domestic battery and resisting officers — was sent to the hospital and later underwent surgery to re-inflate a collapsed lung.

He remained hospitalized five days under police guard, officials said.

more: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050618/NEWS01/506180462/1075

Great. People seem to be waking up to the idea that the taser isn't the universal answer to subduing citizens.

6'3" and 140 pounds???? Wow.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Incoming!

:popcorn:

BTW, I agree with you (about tasers) 100%, Tom. :thumbsup:

[uppityperson]

2. I have a friend who is like this, teen too.

growing too fast.

[mongo]

3. It's a start

Too bad officers can't tell if you have a heart condition, or epilepsy, or whatever.

Maybe people with medical conditions should have a big "M" tatooed on their forehead so the police know not to taser them. :sarcasm:

[jody]

4. If the policy has merit, officers should use batons or perhaps let the

suspect go free rather that risk public criticism by using a taser and harming a suspect.

Perhaps the best approach is for officers to let victims defend them selves because law enforcement officers are not obligated to protect an individual unless that person is in custody.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. He was a 140 lb. string bean trapped in his bedroom...

I would imagine that a pair of trained officers could have subdued this kid without using a weapon of any kind.

[jody]

6. What would you have done? n/t

[the_spectator]

7. Now any women tasered in that locality won't just be shocked,

they'll be insulted as well! As in, officer, you DON'T think I'm extremely thin? Or: honey, does this outfit make me look taserable?