Lawmakers want transit workers to have Tasers.

A New York state lawmaker is looking to put Tasers in the hands of transit workers.

When Sen. Eric Adams proposed letting commuter train and Amtrak crews carry Tasers the measure died in committee in Albany last year.

Now, the push is on to extend the legislation to bus drivers and subway conductors.
“I believe that if you’re allowing a train operator to control tons of equipment then truly we can allow them to control a small device, such as a Taser,” Adams said.

The head of the transit workers union supports the idea but the NYPD and Metropolitan Transportation Authority are against it.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne told the Daily News that only sergeants and certain members of the Emergency Services Unit who receive extra training carry Tasers.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/04/17/new-york-senator-proposes-equipping-transit-workers-with-tasers/

Former performer declared brain dead in wake of Taser incident.

http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Former-Colleagues-Remember-Gentle-Giant-Sledge-Hammer-472879.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/16/sledge-hammer-tasered-_n_1429287.html

Man dies after being Tasered 11 times in the back by police; officers placed on paid leave.

Five months after cops in North Chicago, Illinois violently arrested an unarmed man only for him to die from his injuries days later, the city’s mayor has announced that seven police officers will be placed on paid administrative leave.

The seven North Chicago officers linked to the November 13 death of 45-year-old Darrin Hanna were sent home with pay this week as authorities consider if any further disciplinary action should be taken by the police force.

The officers in question have been on desk-duty for the five months since Hanna’s passing and will now indefinitely be off the beat until a decision is made. In the interim, however, Tristan Borzick, Jason Geryol, Gary Grayer, Marc Keske, Arthur Strong, Brandon Yost and Sgt. Salvatore Cecala will all continue to receive full pay.

Police were dispatched to investigate a domestic abuse complaint at a North Chicago home last year. According to the officers that responded to the call, Hanna rushed them with clenched fists, prompting them to respond with batons and Tasers. Although the cops claim that their stun guns were only used two or three times, an autopsy identified 11 Taser scars on Hanna’s back.

A week later, Hanna died. According to the Lake County coroner’s office, physical restraint and Taser shocks were both factors in the man’s death. Evidence of cocaine use was also uncovered, report says.
http://rt.com/usa/news/cops-paid-chicago-north-977/