LAist: Taser-happy Cop's History Was One Reason For Tasers at UCLA

tony

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:17:34 -0800

Not to speak for everyone else who is appalled by the actions of the cop, but I can imagine that most of us who are, are not "rebel(ling) against any and all authority." We are seeing an unarmed non-violent student in a library being repeatedly tased while being handcuffed. Nobody is arguing that police work in LA can be thankless and dangerous, but the UCLA library in Westwood is probably the least dangerous place for a police officer to be working at night in LA. The "kid" did not set out to provoke anyone. He set out to do his homework in a library. If indeed he was the only one in the library to be asked to produce his Bruin Card, he is more than justified to call bs on the profiling, and in no way deserves to be handcuffed and then tasered. If you don't want people reacting to cops acting like the Gestapo or the KGB you should stop defending them and pretending that an American citizen (and student) born to Iranian parents doesn't look Middle Eastern.

JJ

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:26:40 -0800

If he couldn't get up, why didn't he just say so, instead of repeatedly shouting at the cops (and at the top of his lungs, no less-- he certainly had strength enough to cause quite a scene)? The cops were complete idiots for tasering this joker instead of simply dragging him out the door by his feet. But stop taking the student's side; he was well aware of the policy and actually said that he deliberately refused to show his ID, because somehow or other these cops knew he was Iranian just by looking at him. This kid set out to provoke the cops, and he got his. The cops should be fired and the student inducted into the ass-clown hall of fame. Grow up people, and get over your urge to rebel against any and all authority. It probably isn't easy being a cop, especially in LA: you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. Keep your arguments and criticisms rational and in perspective. You're all acting like the UCPD is the second-coming of the Gestapo or KGB. Give me a break.

Toestubber

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:27:39 -0800

How do you comply with the order of getting up, when stunned? Kristjan, don't you realize that those cops were using the new magic tasers, the kind that don't incapacitate the victim? Why, it's just like having your scrotum lightly tickled. That's why the police were repeatedly ordering him to "Get up!" after zapping the handcuffed kid. Those new magic taser jolts are like a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, straight to the central nervous system. You'd have no trouble walking or getting your bearings; in fact, the student should have been tap-dancing out the door thanks to the professional actions of those helpful officers.

Kristjan Wager

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 01:52:56 -0800

I would also like to say that this individual seemed to be the type that was thriving on the attention during the incident, the more he was stunned the more he resisted. The average person would have immediately complied once stunned. How do you comply with the order of getting up, when stunned?

bpac

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:14:46 -0800

Very clearly, obsessive force is becoming more common place in our country these days. If you read the news a lot, you will find something almost everyday. In this case, I understand why they guy might have gotten pissed off for being singled out. I would act the same way, probably. I just fail to see the necessity of tazering him while he was handcuffed. Let's stop putting cops on a pedestal in the media and in our own minds. Let's stop apologizing for them. Call things by their right names. This was police brutality.

Michael

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 16:38:23 -0800

Over the last six years or so, I think we've all learned that we must produce "ze papers" when confronted by "ze Geshtapo". Fall in line or fall to the side. I say stand on the side and wait for me.

For what its worth

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 19:36:02 -0800

I am a recently retired supervisor from a large police department. I viewed this tape of the student being stunned. I would like to say I have been involved in many incidents similar to this one. They are never easy! I would be interested in knowing what the policies of the school are regarding the use of a stun device. Also does failure to present ID constitute a criminal trespass (many schools have this authority). If these two details are in order this incident may be within legal guildlines. I would also like to say that this individual seemed to be the type that was thriving on the attention during the incident, the more he was stunned the more he resisted. The average person would have immediately complied once stunned. However I do agreed it looked terrible in a school setting and fail to completely understand why this devise was necessary to deal with a difficult student. I would have likely had my officers carry or drag him out. It is done routinely. People often become angry or drunk and don't want to leave a location.

tony

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:49:16 -0800

the big deal Paul, is the dope student is claiming that he was singled out as the only person who was asked to show his ID because he is Iranian-American, which is why he refused to show it. and then was tased multiple times while handcuffed. the big deal Paul is most people dont think that an unarmed, outnumbered student in Westwood needs to be electrocuted to get removed from a posh library. the big deal Paul is most people think that if the cop and the other officers were real men that they could just escort the handcuffed student out of the library. but it turns out that the cop in question has a history of abusing his power and using unnecessary force. most normal people dont think that it takes broken bones or removed teeth to rightfully accuse someone of overdoing it. for example, five shots of the taser while handuffed, for most normal people is abusive. in LA there arent many big deals, but if you havent noticed, we draw the line on cops beating the fuck out of citizens. or in this case shocking the shit out of students.

Paul Huebl

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 11:43:24 -0800

Whats the big deal the dope refused to show ID on University property and resisted arrest. He was uninjured. Perhaps had he gotten his teeth knocked out or a broken arm there's be a valid complaint. Right now he need to face the criminal jury for his criminal offence. I have two article on this story here: http://crimefilenews.blogspot.com

bruin20m

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:22:18 -0800

I wonder how many of you actually go to UCLA, and were THERE when it happened. To me, police brutality and abuse of power is completely out of order. How about we just wait and see what the entire story is, from ALL sides and ALL individuals who saw this entire situation. I'm sure there will be many interesting revelations as to why this whole Tazer event happened. I have had several run-ins with this particular officer, and I know that he can be high-strung. With that said, I am curious as to why he felt so threatened by this student, considering he had 3 other armed officers at his side. Let's hear the whole story, and THEN maybe we can do something as a campus to prevent this from even happening again.

d

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:57:08 -0800

Don't forget that he was not breaking a federal or state law, he was meerly violating the school's policy on showing ID to enter the building. It was clear from moment one that there was no intent towards a crime that could be considered criminal trespassing. Its not as if he broke in after hours and stole computers. The campus police do not have the right to react to this violation the same way the would catching a burglar in the act. Its as if they tasered him for running out of meal plan points or handing in a test late... Its purely a matter of school policy and should have been treated as such.

Mike

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:35:30 -0800

How exactly is the student at fault? He was leaving the library when he was grabbed. That's assault. He wasn't breaking any laws by being in the library. Using physical force to detain someone who is not breaking a law is unnecessary. Its moreso unnecessary to tase someone who is attempting to leave. That's battery. Per California law, even if this were a real cop, its lawful to resist arrest if the order from the officer isn't a lawful one. For example, you cannot be arrested for refusing to strip if an officer orders you so, and then arrests you for failing to comply. Its not a lawful order. I hope that this "cop" gets his nads nailed to the wall and that there's a big payout from him and the university.

bacci40

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:06:21 -0800

the officers are going to rest their case on the ucpd taser policy, which allows the use of the taser against individuals who are passively resisting it is bad policy i do not believe that this is a bad cop...but he does lack some skills that would have been useful in this case

Nathan

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:59:13 -0800

I just read "The Prince" by Machiavelli. It DOES NOT say anywhere that "the ends justify the means." Where do people get the idea that Machiavelli said that?? Machiavelli did not talk about morals at all. He just wrote about what you have to do to get in power and stay there. He did not say anything about whether or not such actions are justified. As for that officer, I think he should be tasered repeatedly and locked away.

dubrovnicz

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:28:09 -0800

it's also worth noting that the ID he didnt have isnt mandatory for access until after 11PM. the guy might well have been caught out, reasonably expecting it wouldnt be necessary. i know i run late sometimes, especially around deadlines.

logan

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:49:01 -0800

"Yeah, being arrogant in a library is totally ASKING for a tasering. Especially if your papers aren't in order. Double dog especially if you're of Iranian descent. Triple dog especially if you're in the midst of complying with an order to leave." Yeah, people tend to loose sight of the simple fact that the actions were fascist. 'He deserved it' doesn't change the fact that the Bill of Rights was completely disregarded. I'm frustrated at how police are merely suspended for incidinces that would result in a criminal conviction for the average citizen.

logan

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:47:35 -0800

BStriddy

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:13:04 -0800

Yeah, being arrogant in a library is totally ASKING for a tasering. Especially if your papers aren't in order. Double dog especially if you're of Iranian descent. Triple dog especially if you're in the midst of complying with an order to leave.

adam

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:06:58 -0800

"No, but being an arrogant "I don't have to show you no stinking badges" asshole in a library does." No it doesn't. I have a right to be arrogant without being physically assaulted by anyone. If the kid was in violation of any law or policy then he could be arrested. Tasers are to be used in place of lethal force. If he was resisting arrest then yeah it could be used.

KneeJerk

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:57:03 -0800

No, but being an arrogant "I don't have to show you no stinking badges" asshole in a library does.

tony

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:58:54 -0800

yeah, being in a library is pretty much asking for it.

a

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:45:48 -0800

It's all part of the experience of living in LA: the traffic, smog, and taser. The student probably deserves it.