Police Taser Diabetic Man

[my2sense]

Source: digitriad.com

El Reno, OK -- In Oklahoma, a driver went into severe diabetic shock, but instead of getting help, he was tasered and handcuffed.

The video shows what happened in El Reno, Oklahoma last month after the man's truck spun out on the interstate.

The town's police chief says his officers thought the 53-year-old man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was resisting arrest.

Read more: http://www.digtriad.com/news/features/article.aspx?storyid=115481&catid=216

[amdezurik]

1. yep, Thugs in Blue

the biggest gang in America...

[roguevalley]

19. this is what I dread happening to me. poor guy

[tabasco]

38. That's what they've become.

Thanks to the "war" on (some) drugs and the shredding of our Constitution.

Power corrupts and the police have been given WAY too much power.

[Jennicut]

2. As a diabetic who has gone into shock many times, this can easily happen

Yes, you can get out of control driving as you actually slowly slip into unconsciousness. You shake, you are weak, you can almost black out but then come to. I have passed out three times, luckily not while driving. It comes on you fast sometimes, without warning. It is very scary. I try to always test myself before I drive as I have learned the hard way. I am only 32 and don't want to kill myself or anyone else. I guess it may have been hard to tell he was diabetic. You can look like you are high, just really out of it. Hope the guy is okay an no one was hurt.

[my2sense]

3. Yeah but I thought taser use was to be

used as a alternative to fire arms.....looks like they are tasering folks that they normally wouldn't shoot. It's scary.

[Jennicut]

4. Well, they might not have known the guy did not have a gun.

They did seem too quick to taser him, I agree. Being in diabetic shock, you can look high or drunk and the car was out of control but they did act to rashly. Better to figure out the situation first.

[byeya]

12. taser

We were taught that the Taser is to be used on suspects
that pose a danger to themselves or others, including the
officer, but not such a danger that lethal force is contemplated.
If a suspect is involved in an accident, there are many reasons
other than aggressiveness or other state which poses a danger
to life and property. Given the information here, the use of
the Taser was not warranted as the use of a billy club
would not have been warranted.

[Occulus]

14. But... but.... wasn't the public told tasers were to be used as a less (than) lethal

alternative to shooting suspects with a gun?

I do believe I recall hearing that over and over when they first started to appear...

[byeya]

21. taser use

Yes most definately; the public and the police were told that the taser was an alternative to non lethal force. Instead of a night stick or chemical mace, an officer would use the taser. This was, allegedly, less harmful to the suspect and kept the officer from getting into a wrestling match or fistfight with the suspect.Smaller and older officers would be safer. The taser was not to be used in circumstances where there was a cooperative suspect or the person in question's intentions and capabilities for harm were unknown.
From the evidence in the press, officers have misused the taser in way too many encounters and the taser has proven to be fatal in way too many cases and officers have not been disciplined or prosecuted for using the taser in a manner that was not in their training.

[amdezurik]

26. whoa whoa whoa

what other 'reasons' beside aggerssiveness warrants it's use? Asking to many questions? being in grief and weeping? Dear gawd I imagine that would be a real chore, having someone weeping from someone dying in their arms...

[ShortnFiery]

5. This is a grave danger. If you see someone "acting drunk" check to see if he/she has MEDIC ALERT

etched in "Diabetic on Insulin."

I wonder if this man wore an "Medic-Alert" bracelet and/or necklace? BIG TELL.



If you have a close loved one who suffers from Type I (used to term Juvenile) Diabetes, you know as "an hypo-glycemic event" (blood sugar too low) because they've taken a too high dose shot (injection) of Insulin.

Many times, Type I Diabetics who have been newly diagnosed have a difficult time assessing how much insulin to inject. When one's blood sugars drop below 50 or so, many people slur their speech and/or become combative, i.e., NOT enough oxygen is getting to their brain to think straight.

First, check for a Medic-Alert bracelet and if it states "Type I diabetic" ask where their "sugar tabs are" OR give them "a candy bar" OR get them to drink a "sugar drink" of any type. If they are "cross" and "uncooperative" call 911 and bring the paramedics to come and give an IM shot of Glucagon (makes blood sugar rise FAST).

I've had to give over a half dozen IM shots to a loved one who was all but non-responsive. However, most times you can give conscious diabetics experiencing "a hypo" a candy bar or a sugar drink (juice is great) - then in a couple of minutes ask them if they have sugar tablets with them and/or to "check their blood."

[Hekate]

9. MedicAlert bracelet is extremely important -- it's much more visible than a necklace

I wear the necklace because of penicillin allergy. The only reason I'm likely to be unconscious is due to accident, in which case docs are pretty likely to have pulled off my clothes before injecting me with anything.

A friend's grown son has a seizure disorder of unknown origin, and has had a few episodes on the bus (he's smart enough not to drive). I strongly urged her to get him a MediAlert bracelet before someone has him arrested for being doped or drunk. Afaik no action yet, but these are dangerous and uncompassionate times.

Hekate

[kutastha]

16. Clarification

>>When one's blood sugars drop below 50 or so, many people slur their speech and/or become combative, i.e., NOT enough oxygen is getting to their brain to think straight.<<

Actually, in hypoglycemia, it is glucose that the brain hungers for, not oxygen - lest anyone think CPR will aid a hypoglycemic event. And please, be careful giving such people juice - if they can't protect their airway, then getting oxygen to their brain may soon become a problem. There's also the way of smearing honey in their mouth, but you could easily lose a finger thus presenting another choking hazard for the patient), especially if the patient begins to seize.

It is for reasons like this I always check my blood glucose before getting behind the wheel, and always have some sort of sugared beverage in my center console. I've had type 1 for 27 years, been driving for 20 of those and never had this problem. The newest insulin pumps with glucose sensors can tell the patient which way and how fast the blood glucose is trending, but they're extremely pricey and not covered my many insurance programs

[ShortnFiery]

17. I stand corrected. Yes, the brain is at a loss for GLUCOSE not Oxygen.

Thanks for making me SMARTer. ;) :hi:

[Papagoose]

18. Not only Type I

I am type II, I take insulin, and I have miscalculated my dosage leading to hypoglycemic episodes.

[Jennicut]

32. I have one as a diabetic.

[mantis49]

34. Type I diabetics are not the only ones to

suffer from hypoglycemic episodes. It can also happen to Type II diabetics, especially if they are insulin dependent.

[desktop]

6. Oklahoma has just become the wasteland of America

The most Republican state in the country regularly violates citizens civil rights, elects morons like creationist and global warming denier James Inhofe, and has the highest incarceration of females in America and near the top for males. I lived in this state for 30 years and have family there. I encourage everyone to get out. My Oklahoma University degree is tainted by these morons who think the only education you need besides the 3 R's is the bible.

[SpikeTss]

7. People still ask the wrong questions

about breathtakingly inhumane incidents like this one:

Who profits from the taser (and related) industries?

[Buzz Clik]

11. Do you really believe that cops are thinking about profits when they taser someone?

Jeebus.

[superconnected]

36. It's an industry that sold the tasers to the police. Someone is profiting.

[Rebubula]

15. So...

...this is a big conspiracy??

OK...I'll bite...WHO profits? I assume that you have the answer or is this just some Socratic exercise?

[cosmicdot]

25. people who own stock profit

and, those who sit on the Board of Directors and who are Executives of Taser International profit ... the military-industrial-security complex is very profitable off all the gizmos that are made and sold 'for security'

some people made a lot of money on selling tasers to every town, city, state in this country (not to mention international sales)

Board of Directors:

Patrick W. Smith. Mr. Smith has served as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company since 1993. He is a co-founder of the Company. Mr. Smith holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Neurobiology from Harvard University, an M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago, and a Masters Degree in International Finance from the University of Leuven in Leuven, Belgium.

Mark W. Kroll Ph.D. Dr. Kroll has served as a director of the Company since January 2003. He retired from St. Jude Medical Inc. in July 2005, where he held various executive level positions since 1995, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. Dr. Kroll holds a B.S. degree in Mathematics and a M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a M.B.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Kroll is a director of Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) and several private companies.

Judy Martz. Ms. Martz has served as a director of the Company since April 2005. From January 2001 through January 2004, Ms. Martz was Governor of the State of Montana and was Lieutenant Governor of the State of Montana from January 1996 through January 2000. From 1989 through 1995 Ms. Martz served as state representative for U.S. Senator Conrad Burns and campaigned with Governor Marc Racicot during part of 1995 and 1996.

Lt. General (USA, Retired) John S. Caldwell. General Caldwell has served as a director of the Company since June 2006. General Caldwell is currently Executive Vice President, Defense Solutions, Perot Systems Government Services and has held that position since February 2007. General Caldwell was Senior Vice President, Defense Information Technology Solutions, QSS Group, Inc. from July 2004 through February 2007 at which time QSS Group Inc. was merged into Perot Systems Government Services. From November 2001 through January 2004, General Caldwell was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army and Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. General Caldwell holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the US Military Academy at West Point, New York and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. General Caldwell is a director of Puradyn Filter Technologies.

Bruce R. Culver. Mr. Culver has served as a director of the Company since January 1994. Currently Mr. Culver is the CEO and Chairman of IdealHire, Inc. a recruitment software company he founded in 2001. In 1990, Mr. Culver co-founded and was Chairman of Professional Staff, p.l.c. (PSTF), in England, a human resource staffing company, and served on its Board of Directors until 2001. In March 1993, Mr. Culver acquired California Distribution, a company providing warehouse, transportation and distribution services. In 1985 Mr. Culver founded Lab Support, Inc., now called On Assignment, Inc. (ASGN) and served as its Chairman and a director until 1990. Mr. Culver also serves on the Board of Digital Map Products, Inc. From 1997 until 2001 Mr. Culver served on the Board of Pentawave, Inc., becoming its Chairman in October 2000. Mr. Culver holds B. Sc. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from University of South Dakota and Montana State University, respectively.

Michael Garnreiter. Mr. Garnreiter has served as a director of the Company since June 2006. Mr. Garnreiter is currently President of Rising Sun Restaurant Group, L.L.C., a private
restaurant operating company and has held that position since August 2006. From April 2002 through June 2006, Mr. Garnreiter was Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of the Main Street Restaurant Group. Mr. Garnreiter previously served as a general partner of the international accounting firm of Arthur Andersen from 1974 through March 2002. Mr. Garnreiter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from California State University at Long Beach and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Garnreiter is a director of Knight Transportation Inc. and Amtech Systems.

Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S. Dr. Carmona has served as a director of the Company since March 2007. Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona was sworn in as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States on August 5, 2002 and held that position through July 30, 2006. Prior to being named United States Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona was the chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System, a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department surgeon and deputy sheriff. He is currently employed as Vice Chairman of Canyon Ranch and CEO of Canyon Ranch Health in Tucson, Arizona and has held that position since October 1, 2006. Dr. Carmona attended Bronx Community College, of the City University of New York, where he earned his associate of arts degree. Dr. Carmona holds a Bachelor of Science degree and medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He has also earned a Masters Degree of public health from the University of Arizona. Dr. Carmona is a director of Clorox.

Matthew R. McBrady Ph.D. Dr. McBrady has served as a director of the Company since January 2001. From August 1998 through July 1999, Dr. McBrady served as a member of the staff of President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers. Dr. McBrady taught corporate finance and economic courses at the University of Southern California during the summer terms of 1997 and 1998, at Harvard University from September 1996 through May 1997, at Harvard Business School during the spring term of 1998, and taught advanced corporate finance at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania from September 2002 through May 2003. From May 2003 through December 2006, Dr. McBrady taught business administration at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. Dr. McBrady joined the North American Private Equity group at Bain Capital, LLC in January 2007 where he is currently employed. Dr. McBrady holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Harvard University, a M.S. degree in International Economics from Oxford University (UK), and a Ph.D. degree in Business Economics from Harvard University.

Thomas P. Smith. Mr. Smith has served as a director of the Company since 1993. Mr. Smith has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 2006 and was President of the Company from April 1994 through October 2006. He is a co-founder of the Company. Mr. Smith holds a B.S. degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona and a M.B.A. degree from Northern Arizona University.

Executive Officers

See above biographical information for Patrick W. Smith and Thomas P. Smith who are also
executive officers of the Company.

Kathleen C. Hanrahan (44). Ms. Hanrahan has served as the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2006 and previously served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer from November 2003 to October 2006. Ms. Hanrahan first joined the Company in January 1996 as an internal controls consultant and served as its controller from March 1996 to November 2000 and also served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer from November 2000 through May 2004.

Daniel M. Behrend (43). Mr. Behrendt has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since April 2004. From 1998 through 2004, Mr. Behrendt served in a number of financial management positions for the Imperial Home Décor Group, including Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Vice President and Corporate Controller and finally Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Behrendt served as the Manager of Business Planning and Analysis for Teledyne Fluid Systems, a division of Allegheny Teledyne. Mr. Behrendt holds a B.S. degree in Accounting, cum laude, from Mount Union College and a M.B.A. degree from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

Family Relationships

Thomas P. Smith and Patrick W. Smith are brothers. No other family relationships exist among the Company’s directors and executive officers.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION


Matthew R. McBrady
$47,066

Bruce R. Culver
$46,035

Judy Martz
$143,754

Mark W. Kroll
$268,035

Michael Garnreiter
$54,681

John S. Caldwell
$74,538

Richard H. Carmona
$56,445

other Proxy to stockholder information:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1069183/000095015308000769/p75293def14a.htm

Other entities owning Taser shares profit

http://quicktake.morningstar.com/StockNet/powerbrokers.aspx?Country=USA&Symbol=TASR

Bernie Kerik, Giulliani's pal and former associate (former NYC police commissioner), once was a Taser Board member. He was considered to head up Homeland Security after Ridge. Kerik was "CEO" at Giuliani–Kerik LLC, an affiliate of Rudolph Giuliani’s consulting firm, Giuliani
Partners LLC. Bloomberg reported that Kerik cashed $5.47 million in November 2004, by exercising “options on 102,166 shares of Taser stock.”
http://www.realtysecurity.com/Releases/STUNGUNS_Jan18.pdf

Published on Friday, December 10, 2004 by the San Francisco Chronicle

Security Nominee got Rich on Tasers

Kerik's Relationship with Stun-Gun Firm Earned Him Millions

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1210-08.htm


Taser shoots back at critics over stock sales

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jan 12, 2005 by Ellen Simon Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Taser International Inc., the stun-gun maker whose safety claims are being probed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, issued a letter Tuesday defending $105.8 million in stock sales last year by the family that has run the business.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_/ai_n11503583


upgrading perpetuates 'more' sales and profits

Los Angeles Police Department Upgrades TASER Program

11-24-08

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TASER(r) International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), the market leader in advanced electronic control devices, today announced that it received an order from the Los Angeles Police Departments (LAPD) for 1275 TASER(r) X26(tm) Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) and related accessories.

http://news.morningstar.com/newsnet/ViewNews.aspx?article=/GNW/155282_univ.xml

[byeya]

22. taser profits

The company who makes the taser profits. They have a well produced intro film that alleges
extensive testing in one medium sized city and has
sales people out talking to police administrators selling the idea of the taser.
Most departments who adopt this piece of defensive equipment have their officers
tased as part of the training. It's very slickly produced,
logical seeming, and training is emphasized.
There are too many incidents of lethality for this to be considered a non-lethal piece
of defensive equipment any longer in my opinion.

[mzmolly]

8. I hear about this all to often.

Ugh.

[Buzz Clik]

10. Isn't it true that one can cure just about anything with 10,000 volts?

Always works

for me...

[peace13]

13. The law should read that if a taser is used an investigation will follow.

This will make the officers use better judgment before firing one of those potentially lethal things.

[antimatter98]

20. Those cops belong in jail, and fired. n/t

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

23. Becoming Typical

Police at many local levels psychologically live in a differing reality. Ask of your local police and sheriff departments what level of education and training is required to put someone in uniform. Compensation is, of course, commensurate with education and I know that where I live they don't pay a lot for law enforcement personnel. Tied to this are the education requirements, locally a GED. This is not meant as a putdown to one's level of education, only that critical thinking skills are developed the higher one climbs in educational persuits. I would ask the chief in El Reno what sort of broad based education is available to or required of his officers.

[pointblank]

29. I have been stating this point for a long time

thank you for bringing it up...

Having worked as a medic in some tough neighborhoods for 5 years, I have come across police officers from many different municipalities and jurisdictions.

The county police where I work tend to make the most money (around 46K/yr) and require 2 years of college and are moving to four years of college I have heard...this is great, but the degree/college credits could be in graphic design or horticulture for all the county cares - so long as they are "educated" - which really does not qualify one to carry a gun and have sometimes unbelieveable power.

Police training where I live/work is a joke - 6 months of training- the county has their own academy and there is a "private" academy at the local community college.

I mean SERIOUSLY! ...6 months is MUCH too short of a time to give someone the power these police officers have...they should go through at LEAST 2 years of police officer training and much more rigid psychological testing than they do. I understand that this would 'thin the herd' of candidates so to speak, but you counter the problem by offering higher pay to attract better candidates.

Now, I haven't even touched on the smaller municipalities that in most cases pay their officers under 30K per year and require no college, or no HS diploma for that matter, but only require the six month 'private academy' training...HMMMMM, private academy training - you think maybe an entity that is FOR PROFIT is going to push some folks through so they can keep their graduation rates high and keep the money flowing .....NAHHHHHHHH :eyes: ... not to mention once that person is 'pushed' through the only place he/she can get a job is one of these small, poor paying munies, who have no other choice but to higher said bottom of the barrel academy graduate b/c no one else wants to get shot at for 12 bucks an hour.

Some of these cops I know personally and professionally - and I'll tell you, I have had my eyes opened and my jaw hit the ground many times at their ineptness, lack of common knowledge, poor judgement and violent tendencies (yea right the prisoner witht he head injury, now having a seizure got that softball sized lump on his skull from "falling" in his cell) and all in all disregard for human life (like the cop who told me he would circle the block waiting for the ambulance to show up on cardiac arrest calls b/c he didn't want to deal with the "bullshit" - all the while his cruiser is equipped with an AED in the trunk)

We need stricter standards put in place for our law enforcment - and with that I am TOTALLY in favor of higher pay for them - As long as EMS personnel are paid higher also ;) - I mean we do go through 2 years of training and 1000 hours of clinical time after all, and we get paid around 40K - piss poor if you ask me!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

24. It only goes to show you

It's very hard to practice being a trained observer while you have your head lodged firmly up your ass.

:shrug:

[PfcHammer]

27. Sounds like what happened to the lady in the airport

She needed help, but got tased instead and died. :(

[TheCentepedeShoes]

28. Mr 'pede is Type II

He has an dr appointment Thursday. I'm going to suggest he ask about this.
Thanks for reminding me.
Edit to add: he is not on insulin
Edit again: ask about the medic alert bracelet

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. This happened a few years ago in Frederick, MD...

And a friend of mine recently told me about his mother, who had crashed into a tree after going into shock.

A basic understanding of this disease and others, like epilepsy and warning signs of stroke and heart attack, should be included in police training.

[sarcasmo]

31. They need to take these things away from cops. He wasn't able to say

"Don't tazer me bro"

[rhettarcher]

33. Incredible

Chief says teams were trained, certified by CLEET, to recognize Diabetics.
Only noticed man had a diabetic necklace AFTER he was at hospital receiving treatment. Claim is was 'buried under his shirts' and in video you can hear police in back of car asking if he's been drinking or diabetic. Training does not include trying to reason with a person experiencing hypoglycemia.

Excuses for ignorance. An individual trained properly would immediately check wrist and neck for a bracelet. Had they given this poor man a regular soda (not diet) he would have recovered and been on his way - and the assault and waste of tax payer dollars could have been avoided.

Incredible!

[superconnected]

35. So if you're jerking around you get tasered.

I guess I don't get why.

[truthisfreedom]

37. More education for cops, please.

That's the bottom line here.

[zelta gaisma]

39. this totally sucks,,,but a bullet would suck more

[old mark]

40. I have type II, and a pacemaker - I wonder what would happen if I got tasered...

but I don't wonder too much.

Guess I better get that stupid bracelet.....
or start wearing a sign.

mark