This must have hurt. Not to mention scaring the shit out of the police. Interestingly, it’s the second time this has happened within about a month.

Despite what the “advocates” will tell you, the police had little choice even if they knew the possible consequences. Faced with a violent person, the police can A)wrestle with him B)hit him with a service baton C)user Pepper Spray D)use the Tazer E)shoot him, or F)call EMS.

Well, actually if they do any of A-F, then F is going to happen. Count on it. At least around here.

Of the five real options, A is dangerous for the police, especially if the officer is alone. B is politically unpopular, even though generally pretty effective. C is unlikely to be effective if the person is on drugs or really demented. E is effective, but fraught with lots of paperwork and a definite law suit. Which leaves D. Which those self same advocates would ban if they could. Because they’d prefer G, which is just let people run crazy through the streets. Right now the Tazer is their preferred whipping boy, but ten years ago Pepper Spray was deadly and had to be banned right now! Only it turned out, as it will with Tazers, that they saved far more people from being killed during encounters with the police than if the police had not had the option to use them. Because when the options for the police are limited to hands, batons, or bullets, things can escalate pretty quickly.

Here’s a fun factoid for the generally clueless advocacy crowd. When someone resists the police, someone is bound to be hurt. Maybe I’m old fashion, but I’ll go with what my experience tells me. Which that I’d much rather it be the person who is not the police officer that gets hurt. Because, despite what the media, the advocates, many politicians, and President Feckless would have you believe, the police are generally the good guys. The other guys are generally NOT the good guys.

So, while it’s most unfortunate that Daniel Wood was hurt, the proximate cause of his injuries was not the police using the Tazer. It was in fact Daniel Wood behaving like an idiot that caused Daniel Wood to be injured.

Ironically Matt G over at Better And Better has a post with related comments.

But I need to point some things out.

First, that gas leak is a few feet from some people’s residence.
Second, I’ve told you not to go over to your pickup.
Thirdly, that guy behind you? My partner? He’s not pulling out his Taser. Tasers spark, too. He’s reaching for his expandable baton.

This lesson could get painful. Wouldn’t you rather just cuss me from the other side of the barricades?

Matt and his partner know that batons don’t spark, but they do, even when used properly, sometimes break bones and other delicate human structures. So, all things being equal, I’d prefer to be tazed, bro. Then again I much prefer not to put myself in positions where I’m likely to be either.