Two States Approach Stun Gun Law Differently
Two States Approach Stun Gun Law Differently
On June 9 and 10, 2014, Connecticut and Vermont passed laws regulating taser use by police; but, different catalysts led focus to different aspects of regulation.
In Connecticut, where 22-yer-old Jose Maldonado died after being tased while resisting police control at the station, the focus was on statistics. Specifically, documenting the circumstances of each taser discharge, the suspect’s age, gender, race, and whether injury was incurred. The purpose of the law is to increase police officers’ awareness to those statistics both as a way of dampening undue action and for establishing a platform from which further legislation may originate.
In Vermont, where 39-year-old Macadam Mason died as a result of a taser strike, while suffering from a mental health crisis and seizures, the focus was on police training. Specifically, the law is designed to train officers to recognize the signs of mental illness and the proper action to take thereafter. The law’s ultimate goal is to ensure that an officer’s response is commensurate with the situation.
Both bills were heavily supported by civil rights organizations and breezed through the ratification process. Both bills take effect in 2015.
Sources: foxct.com; wnpr.org; wptz.com; wcax.com; m.mychaplainvalley.com; vtdigger.org