Good news: Cop tasers 72-year-old great-grandmother
posted at 7:35 pm on June 9, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Stage two of my plan to give our new registrants a proper Hot Air welcome. We’ve already had multiple Palin posts; the obligatory 800-comment police brutality thread is next. Then all that’s left is a post on atheism and my work here is done.
The dashcam audio’s a little hit and miss so you’re probably better off skimming the partial transcript before watching. As I’ve said before in our endless taser debates, I thought the stun gun is only to be used to subdue a perp who presents a physical threat or who can’t be subdued any other way. This huge cop was incapable of wrestling granny’s arms behind her back to slap the cuffs on? What if he tased her and she had a pacemaker? Verdict: Desk duty for six months.
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Cops were just enforcing the law at Waco and with the Weaver family too.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 9:08 AM
This is signing a speeding ticket. Not gassing jews. Bad analogy.
The only person that was out of line was the old woman, who instigated the whole thing, and now wants to hide behind her age and gender.
moonbat monitor on June 10, 2009 at 9:16 AM
The guy is an over-sized asshole. I’m a conservative who supports the cops 99% of the time. But what was she, 5 ft. nothing? Did she swing at him? It’s asses like him that give good cops a bad name.
fatharry1 on June 10, 2009 at 9:18 AM
At least the cop did not waterboard the old lady. Or shoot her. Let’s give him some credit(?)
jamarkennedy on June 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Vie have our vays of making you sing zie papers.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM
opps…I meant sign
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Before we had tasers, we had cops wrestling Granny to the ground, breaking her rib, being sued for doing their jobs, and then labeled as thugs and abusers.
Granny deserved not only to be tasered, but to have her ass kicked, be hogtied and thrown face down into the back of the squad car, then rolled into the police station on a skateboard and photographed, fingerprinted, and thrown in the jail until her kids had to come down and get her.
If my Mom had mouthed off to a cop like that, I hope he’d break half her jaw.
But he didn’t. He pushed her back to keep her out of the road, all the time that video is rolling, cars are flying by at 50 mph on that road. He is less than 4 feet from being run down and left a bloody smear on the highway, and she is 5 feet from being there. Every time she steps toward the road and gets in his face, he is looking at her and trying to keep her from pushing him into the road. And don’t give me any crap about how a 150 pound woman who is angry can’t push a 250 pound cop into traffic. I have pushed Men 50 pounds heavier than me over 6 feet when they were surprised and they fell flat on their asses even when they were facing me. By then, he is dead.
He is nothing but a piece of meat to her at that point, and he is a thug to half the commenters here.
My Mom always told me if you don’t have anything nice to say to someone, then you should keep your mouth shut. I’m violating that rule, just like Granny did here, to tell those who feel there is anything less than sufficient, swift, and overwhelming force to be used in subduing a criminal (and speeding is a crime here), no matter how infirm or ill mannered they are, then perhaps you need to be forced to be the cop, pull over Granny and make the snap judgment calls about what to do with a pissed off old lady who is an assh*le and a criminal. I’d just love to see the dashcam video of you wrestling with a 72 yr old woman and pushing her to the ground, putting your knee in her back or on her neck and roughly pulling her arms behind her on the hot Texas pavement. You jerks got no idea what the Hell the consequences of your actions or thoughts are anyway.
She deserved more than she got.
Subsunk
Subsunk on June 10, 2009 at 9:23 AM
800 in 3… 2…
ChristianRock on June 10, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I agree Subsunk! This is a local story, so I hear about it constantly these days. The area where she was pulled over is very dangerous to just be standing around arguing with an old loon.
Who cares that she’s and old lady? As a woman I find it offensive that she would get special treatment. She kept throwing out her age and sex, as if that made her immune to the law.
It reminds me of about six years ago when another local cop pulled over a senior citizen because of a seatbelt violation. The old man shot the officer on the spot. The officer died. It was awful. Age has nothing to do with it.
herrevery on June 10, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Folks, she gave the officer no choice. If you get a ticket, you have to sign it, even if you’re 72 and female. She did not. Next step for her, or anyone – jail. She continued to throw a fit, mouth off, etc. At that point, the officer can use brute force to arrest her, or taze her. It’s a no-win situation. Do you risk breaking a wrist? That would have made a great headline.
People shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that this woman refused to obey a simple, direct order, and is now hiding behind her age and her gender to get away with it. That is how I see it.
moonbat monitor on June 10, 2009 at 9:30 AM
I’ve never understood by just getting old gives someone rights others don’t have.
katiejane on June 10, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Grandma DID make a huge mistake. She would of been fine had she agreed to donate to the local or state police benevolent association, (that every city/state seems to have) that would of gotten her “Get Out Of Jail Free” bumper sticker.You know the agency, it’s the one that tells you you’ll get “special consideration” by the police for contributing to it. Of course, it sells itself to you on the idea that the funds are going to the families of fallen officers, when really they’re just a financing arm of the police labor union.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 9:42 AM
I KNOW the point you’re trying to make, but your hyperbole is blocking my sun, and I’m trying to get tan.
So, um, when did these issues with your mother start? Do you think it affects your views on women in general? Hmm? /psychologist
ochako1984 on June 10, 2009 at 9:46 AM
was from
not doriangrey.
ochako1984 on June 10, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I just don’t understand why the cop didn’t just shoot the old lady right between the eyes. That seems fair for not wanting to sign a speeding ticket.
feedercattle on June 10, 2009 at 10:11 AM
That cop is working hard to put the capital P in Pig.
woodNfish on June 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Unfortunately there are laws and policies that restrict the officers response to her. He just can’t send her on her merry little way after her egregious behavior.
the Coondawg on June 10, 2009 at 10:19 AM
What other options were available?
You’re looking at it from the wrong perspective. Law enforcement officers do just that. Enforce the law. They do this because we have empowered them to enforce the law to protect us all. She was pulled over for speeding on a notoriously dangerous section of highway that is under construction where road workers were repairing the road. Those people deserve to be protected also and her self important status as a “72 year old woman” doesn’t trump that.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 10:19 AM
So in Obamas world, will tazers need to be re-charged by a solar panel in it’s top like a solar powered landscaping light?
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM
That discretion is regulated by the policies of the department and his supervisor is completely behind the officer.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM
It’s asses like you who give conservatives a bad name.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM
This cop comes home to his wife:
Wife: Hi honey. How was your day?
Cop: It was rough, I had to taze a few old people, one wouldn’t submit until I shot him in his wheel chair, and then I had to tackle a 7 ear old girl for j walking. Very rough day.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Good rant! It’s amazing the level of ignorance displayed by these tools whom have obviously never been exposed to the realities of law enforcement. The officer show restraint and granny ought to be thanking him for not physically throwing her to the ground and cuffing her and she should apologize for putting him in the position she did.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM
You are a complete idiot.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM
ALLAH-PUNDIT wrote:
The tone of these words is not of a sincere or warm welcome. It is the greeting of someone who does not respect or desire the presence of his audience. What honestly do you view as your
‘work’ ? You seem intent on alienating us, you certainly are successful at it.
Sir, I am indeed one of those new registrants, but I am also a long-time reader. I come here (and continue to visit) for one reason: to follow Ed Morrisey’s commentary. I’ve avoided reading yours since enduring another long thread devoted to enlightening you on the basics of police work, when you simply refused to back down from your lofty (and in my view unacceptable) perspective. To be honest, your hostility towards your readers is probably mutual with many of us, and you might consider removing yourself from this web site for mutual relief.
Your attitude toward Governor Palin is beneath comment, so I won’t.
Please read Subsunk’s comments at 9:23 AM above, carefully. That is a reasoned, balanced and knowledgeable position. You would do well to reflect on your own, and indeed on your attitude to this community. I don’t think either are healthy.
Sincerely, Peter Warner.
PeterWarner on June 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM
He was getting into an argument with her, though. With all the time he spent telling her he was going to tase her, he could have just arrested her. He could get her away from the road again and lean her against the truck or car and cuff her.
You’re right that just because someone’s old and/or female doesn’t give them the right to put others in danger, but if I had the body of that guy (which I don’t – I’m a scrawny woman) that situation would be over. I wouldn’t be telling her anything; I would just put the handcuffs on her.
If tasing her was the only way to get people from being hurt, then yeah, a zap is better than being killed, but nothing in the video showed her to be able to do anything to the cop except run her mouth off.
I DO NOT like it that she’s being showed as a victim – “Grandma Tased” – when she clearly was being ass. Just because the cop should have had better judgment doesn’t mean you’re a saint! LOL!
ochako1984 on June 10, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Ditto that.
She was a bitch and deserves what she gets. Obviously that guy could have picked her up and tossed in the car. That would have been more dangerous to her than using the taser to get her to submit to his lawful orders.
Grandma needs to simmer down. A two or three thousand dollar fine ought to help.
rcl on June 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Let me guess, you have a yellow ribbon magnet on your pickup?
simplesimon on June 10, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The cop could of easily diffused the situation. Instead, it was a matter of ego.
As far as what’s MORE dangerous, people have DIED from being tazed.
So potentially killing someone for not signing a ticket when you have ALL of their info is IDIOTIC
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Ditto that.
She was a complete bitch. A cop can’t just walk away. He has to enforce compliance. A guy his size could have done irrepairable damage to her; ligament tears, dislocations etc., if he tried to strong arm her as so many on here have suggested.
Allah and others here are just plain ignorant of the facts when they make out that tasing is somehow “cruel”. Tasing was developed to force submission with lower risk to the citizen.
Granny needs to mellow out. A two or three thousand dollar fine should help.
rcl on June 10, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Well, I see now that the video is playing better. That he did get his handcuffs out – I couldn’t see that because my comp was freezing up. So, he WAS having trouble arresting her.
He kind of threw them to the side after she yanked herself away. Without that part it seemed like him made little indication that she was under arrest.
I didn’t see that part. *blush* Time for a new computer.
ochako1984 on June 10, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Because of her age and feisty stupidity, he was right to avoid a “pain compliance” takedown. Those maneuvers allow perps to really damage themselves if they refuse to cooperate…and you’re laying hands on them because they refuse to cooperate. Doesn’t matter how slim you are, if you hop around using one wrist or shoulder as a fulcrum for your whole bodyweight, you’re going to suffer more than 10 seconds of pain.
Speaking of rights…operating a motor vehicle ain’t one of them. I hope she has her license suspended.
Chris_Balsz on June 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Only after they have consumed huge quantities of cocaine and/or meth and then fight the cops. However,the tazer critics always leave out the huge quantities of cocaine and meth from the equation.
Blake on June 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM
The risk of a fracture is increased. Then the usual suspects will again yell police abuse.
Blake on June 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Blake, that’s idiotic, Google Taser Deaths, it’ll tell you it’s easily in the hundreds, perhaps thousands, (since coroners would rather not blame the taser), for deaths by people with NO alcohol or drugs in their system.
That doesn’t even begin to get into the damage to the central nervous system, causing many things including seizures.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Subsunk @ 9:23 You suffer from tunnel vision and a little ignorance of your own. Elderly women aren’t super-benign creatures to the officer. I will completely grant your concerns about that.
However, the notion that granny deserves a punch for misbehaving or mouthing off is perverse, and I suspect it’s because you are not allowing that the stubborness or aggressiveness and irrationality could be and is PROBABLY related to physical/mental decline. She could have any number of conditions , ranging from diabetes to fronto-temporal dementia, along a whole spectrum of severity – resulting in confusion and aggressiveness. She might have a drug reaction, or even an acute health event reducing her mental faculties.
Officers who are trained to recognize and handle this behaviour without anger and with some tools to gain cooperation in like situations could get her off the road. Holds and methods of moving an uncooperative elderly person differ from what is required for a wild and muscley 19 yo.
SarahW on June 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM
PeterWarner: Oh snap!
carbon_footprint on June 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I looked at the video again and at around 2:37 of the youtube video, the officer tried to handcuff her and she resisted again. So he did try to simply put the cuffs on her and she turned it into a contest of wills.
I guess she has used that great-grandma “absolute moral authority” (AMA) card in the past with great success. Ooops on her! It didn’t work this time.
And I’d bet dollars to donuts that the people she uses that AMA card on is her kids. Probably to get her fingers into having a say in the raising the grand kiddies. AND I’d double down that her kids are secretly enjoying a bit of schadenfreude watching her tricks not work on everyone.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Its strange how the left think waterboarding is torture
But electro shock therapy by police is ok
I live in the area and have been pulled over for speeding
and the local police think they can chastise you as if they are judge and jury,While most state officers are polite and respectful.She may have mouthed off but dont we have freedom of speech anymore.Cant a civil servant be chastised by the public?
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 11:21 AM
He’s been harping on that so I checked it out. There is NO DEFINITIVE proof that tasers are causing wide spread deaths. 99.7 % of all taser usage resulted in minor or no injuries at all. There are plenty of lawsuits that claim they are the cause, but medically there is no evidence when used on some one who is not under the influence.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Just because you have “trash” in your handle doesn’t mean you have to post trash here.
Freedom of speech? How about freedom to break the law and resist arrest with no consequences? Show me that in the constitution.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 11:23 AM
All the MORE reason to put her in a state that doesn’t allow her to hurt herself. This is why people with dementia are injected with Ativan when they are throwing a fit.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM
I don’t understand the necessity behind telling a blogger that you don’t care for them. Who cares? If I don’t like what someone posts, I ignore it, don’t comment, and move on. Whats the point of having someone write just what he thinks everyone wants to read? These threads wouldn’t be near as long or as interesting if that were the case.
changer1701 on June 10, 2009 at 11:34 AM
csdeven
I am curious at what ticked you off about my observation
was it the waterboarding / taser comparison that struck a nerve on a troll
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Funny, it took me all of 30 seconds to find a site noting 6 taser deaths in San Jose, Ca. since 2005.
The “Taser” isn’t the problem, it has it’s uses. The point here is, it’s beginning to be used by police for almost any excuse.
In fact, the latest excuse for some of these actions is to say, “it’s to keep the suspect, or the officer safe”
In this case, how stupid is it for an officer to pull a 72 year old woman, out of a car, in a dangerous construction zone, simply because she refused to sign a ticket, when that officer could of simply kept her license, her registration, (he had to have filmed her plates, and has her on tape refusing to sign). He could of easily handed her the ticket copy, after writing “refused to sign”, and both could of gone on their way. The lady would STILL have had all the same penalties used against her.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Specifically this bit of idiocy….
The entire event was about non-compliance, not her free speech potty-mouth. Anyone that actually watched the video can see that it was her refusal to comply and resisting arrest that caused the entire mess.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 11:43 AM
WRONG! Without the signature to promise to appear, she must be arrested and taken directly to the judge for adjudication of her offense. The option to sign the ticket and go on ones merry little way isn’t a right. It’s a privileged provided to us in order to streamline the court system and to keep officers on the roads instead of transporting law breakers to and from the courthouse and towing vehicles.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 11:48 AM
fatharry1 on June 10, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Yeah, because pounding on her with a baton would have been so much better…
And a person does not have to sign a ticket. The officer could have simply written refused to sign in the signature block and the tape would have been plenty of backup.
The cop was wrong for trying to force her to do something she didn’t have to do; the old lady was wrong for instigating the whole confrontation, for being a “bad granny”.
Fastwas all around on this one.
catmman on June 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM
So the police are Nazi’s and KGB now, huh? What an ignorant post dorian. I am quite proud of what I do, and its so humorous listening to you rant about Nazis and KGB while you sit behind the comfort and safety of your keyboard. Feel free to sign up and put on a badge and show us how its done, because until you do, you’re just another ignorant coward, hiding in the anonymity of the internet.
I’ll remeber what you said when I’m puttin on the badge. I’ll remember it when I go to a fellow officer’s funeral as well.
You need to grow up.
NC Cop on June 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Oh, and this is another example of a person giving the cops a rash of crap for their own screw-up.
No one likes getting a ticket from the cops. But 99% of the time they are deserved. The side of the road is not the place to make a scene or plead your case. A citizen needs to control themselves. If there is a rational case to be made, do it in court before the judge.
Screaming at a cop on the side of the road invariably leads to incidents like this.
catmman on June 10, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Why would anyone have to sign to “promise to appear” when the very citation they receive commands it, (if one doesn’t pay fine, etc.) If they don’t pay the fine, they MUST appear in court. If they don’t appear in court, they THEN are issued a warrant. The idea of a signature to “promise” to appear means NOTHING. The citation COMMANDING one to appear is what actually means something.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 12:01 PM
csdeven
I think the situation could have been handle better by the officer without using a taser .He could have defused the situation with a little more courtesy and respect even thou he wasn’t being respected.It wasn’t like she was a hardened felon with warrants for her arrest
I think just because someone has a badge they don’t have to be a a$$hole while responding to one
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 12:01 PM
She was breaking the law by speeding. She knew she was speeding. She should have signed the ticket and been on her way. We all know when we’re speeding but we do it anyway. If you get pulled over for it just sign the ticket. You know you were breaking the law.
I think the cop showed a lot of restraint. I’ve worked with old people and they can be just as dangerous as anybody. They’re not all fragile and knocking on death’s door. If she wanted to use her age to get out of a ticked she should have played sweet old granny. I would sooner ticket Bea Arthur than Betty White.
She’s no different than anyone else resisting arrest. If he had wrestled her to the ground then people would be bitching about that too. I thought tasers were intended to subdue people in situations like this. I guess he could have maced her. Or he could have called the tow truck to come and tow her pickup away, then drove off and left her there. That would have been funny.
One other thing to keep in mind is that today’s geezers were yesterday’s hippies. The attitude against authority is aging with them. This kind of thing will happen.
deewhybee on June 10, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Absolutely right!!!
Tasers are dangerous, potentially deadly weapons. They should not be used casually…especially on children or the elderly…for whom the risk of deadly consequences is high.
landlines on June 10, 2009 at 12:25 PM
We should taser terrorist suspects
that will get the ACLU really ticked off.
If its good enough for US citizens its good enough for
terrorists
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
Tasers are supposed to be used as the second last resort in the line of force for nonlethal takedown, not as a ‘universal mute button’ (shut up or get zapped)/wang extension. I hope this tool’s grandparents see this on the evening news.
Dark-Star on June 10, 2009 at 12:46 PM
You can’t be that obtuse. Without the signature how does the officer prove the violation actually happened without a lengthy legal process? He could write the ticket for speeding and then claim the person had no DL or insurance info. Then the legal process is bogged down even further.
All because some crazy old coot doesn’t want to sign the ticket? You’re shitting us right?
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 12:47 PM
csdeven
You are obtuse
The officer has the video to enter into evidence
Dip$hit
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 12:52 PM
That is very easy to say, but the facts show that she didn’t give him the chance. She immediately became unruly and then escalated it into a situation where he either physically restrained a brittle boned granny or tased her. He showed restraint by tasing her as she had already proven she was bound and determined to resist arrest and that would have resulted in serious harm to her. As it is, she gets to lie to her community sitting comfortably on her couch.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Why would anyone have to sign to “promise to appear” when the very citation they receive commands it,
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 12:01 PM
CS..huh? The DASH cam not only PROVES he pulled her over, but it also PROVES that she refused to sign the ticket.
Why are we spending $1000s per squad car if what they record can’t be used in court.
If he wrote the ticket, which includes the DL #, then she MUST have a license. If he asked for proof of insurance, they why wouldn’t it be on the ticket IF she had none, OR it’d be on tape that she couldn’t produce these for him. In addition, he either typed for a 10-28 or 10-29 into his squad computer, or called it in, so he ALREADY KNOWS that she has a valid license and no outstanding warrants.
He also ALREADY knows if the plates belong to that car.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Stupid ass. A signature promising to appear has been established for decades. Long before dash cams. It’s policy if not law and excusing this old bitch would weaken law enforcement. Pretty soon everyone would refuse to sign. It’s obvious that you want to refuse to sign and we certainly don’t need more idiots like you on the road.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM
same response to you is coming…..
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 12:58 PM
This is from Louisiana but I sure Texas has basically the same language.
So, by law, the officer MUST arrest her and does not have discretion in the matter.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 1:02 PM
CS, ok, ok, yes, every law breaker MUST be treated like that.
I get your point. If a 10 year old on a bike is riding the wrong way on the road, chase him with the squad car and if he doesn’t stop in 20 feet perform a “pit” maneuver. (Of course this was done for the kids safety) Two kids running a Kool Aid stand without a license. Then “cuff ‘em Danno!”, Grandpa in a walker “J” walking and mumbling because of Alzheimer’s, knock him down to the ground to keep you and him safe before you shackle him.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 1:08 PM
CS You’ve convinced me, you’re quite right. That officer, (all donut eating 305 lbs. of him), MUST shove, (for her protection) a 72 year old 100lb woman, then, in a dangerous construction area, safely diffuse the situation by zapping her repeatedly with 50,000 volts, because the state told him he MUST do that, in that way, there on the dangerous highway.
You’re quite right, he deserves our THANKS for bringing in this dangerous desperado.
A medal and promotion are in order.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM
The part where the cop blew it is when she said she would sign it and he shoved her.
Elastic Jordan on June 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
She looks spry. I think she could have taken him! Thank God he had his taser close at hand.
MHoffpauir on June 10, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Actually, I think she could of gotten away if she threw a box from Dunkin Donuts out on the road in front of him.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 1:50 PM
I’m just glad Grandma isn’t a cop.
Czarkazm on June 10, 2009 at 1:55 PM
CS
You are right
Texas law requires the arrest for failure to promise to appear
My argument is it could have been handled differently
But I guess in your world the end justifies the means
So if the lady had a pace maker and she died Should the officer face charges.Or if she broke her hip in the fall from lack of muscular control,Should he be charged with assualt Since you are the expert on these matters and i am just giving my opinion
I think officers shouldn’t be above the law IMO
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Lovely sentiment viz your mother–Not surprizing that your sub sunk, non-qual! Actually though, this has more to do with an overly aggressive traffic cop escalating the situ versus the predictable behavior of an old woman reluctant to sign the citation. The road officer obviously has psychological issues, in addition to major holes in his training for dealing with elderly traffic offenders. Give the “great grandma” her $100 grand, and send the goon back to traffic school. Case Closed!
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on June 10, 2009 at 2:08 PM
The hyperbole doesn’t make your case stronger, as a matter of fact, it makes it look weaker. The officer was within the law that he upholds for all citizens. He was acting according to the law and department policy. And that what we want them to do. And we also expect our fellow citizens to show proper respect and make the officers impossible job as easy as possible.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 2:25 PM
I’m sure it could have been, but considering she had the opportunity to act like the rest of us do when we are ticketed, I’m not sure any approach would have worked on her.
She simply should have signed the promise to appear and gone on her merry little way instead of resisting arrest.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 2:29 PM
The notion that officers are supposed to be trained psychologists who can handle every situation is what is ridiculous. If our policemen were all so damn smart they could psychoanalyze every situation, then why would they elect to be cops? They’d make more money and be safer as psychologists. These are normal everyday people who volunteer to serve as public servants and put themselves between us and bad people. Interfering with their job does not serve us or them particularly well.
Granny is old enough to know better than to make a nuisance of herself on the highway. If she is demented or experiencing a diabetic or other episode, then it would be nice if the cop knew how to handle every emergency which might present itself. But they are high school graduates, people. Not rocket scientists. They deserve the benefit of the doubt by virtue of their position. Could he have handled things better? Sure. So could Granny. Why didn’t she do better.
We are not free in this country to do anything we wish without regard to the consequences of our actions. Speeding and fighting with the cop deserves a response. She got a mild one.
My Mom would have more class than Granny. And she agrees Granny got what she deserved. As for my qualifications, you are more than welcome to question them here. Glad to see you are such an accomplished psychologist yourself, youngster. When you have sufficent time on the pond, feel free to contact me again, NUB.
Subsunk
Subsunk on June 10, 2009 at 2:42 PM
CS
So every thing is the citizens fault and not the officers
He can use poor judgement in this situation and you will exonerate him.For he is a highly trained officer and that puts him above ridicule on his part. I respect Officers,but not all should be one. They should be held to a higher standard than what this officer demonstrated
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 2:43 PM
I think the Deputy was in the right this one up to a point, and Grandma was using her 72 years young to bully he officer.
However she did offer to sign the the ticket one she was out of the car and the officer never took her up on it.
Castle1461 on June 10, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Ok! so I think its safe to say that all the smart people join me in saying that she brought it on herself and that the cop did the right thing to keep from there being more harm to her and more danger to the both of them if a struggle ensued on a busy highway.
I think (in the same situation) if my grandmother came to me and told me about what had happened, I’d prolly say:
“Well granma..why’s you such a bitch?
Man say sit down…you sit down. WHY’S YOU SUCH A BITCH?”
:)
Handel on June 10, 2009 at 2:44 PM
sorry bout my last comment..didn’t mean to offend if I did.
:)
Handel on June 10, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Ah, comes now the mindreader tweedlyDee!
Tell me swamiDee, how the hell do you know for a fact that “she was speeding”? FYI, Texas as well as many other states are notorious for their speed traps, and for writing bogus paper! I suspect moreso in many venues where the PD dept. budgets are being slashed. Maybe granny didn’t want to put her John Hancock on the ticket because she didn’t believe she was speeding? Hell, maybe that’s why the cop got so hot-headed toward granny? Perhaps he expected all the paper he hung after lunch would pay his wages and the sarge’s too? How dare some old woman dig in her heels, when we have our Department to run!? This thread, makes it quite clear that LEOs have a major PR problem–and most of it is earned by clowns like this road deputy.
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on June 10, 2009 at 2:46 PM
The difference between us is that you want to start critiquing this event from the push and I critique the event from her refusal to sign the promise to appear. She forced the officer to follow the law and arrest her and then she resisted arrest and then tried to flee the scene.
She really tied his hands in what options were available.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 2:48 PM
CS
I have already stated he had the right to the arrest
But the taser was over the top and you know it
He could have detained her without the taser
And the law does not say to tase argumentative old people
When you get tazed at age 72 I will still say it is wrong
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Not surprising that the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”! Any SOB who would advocate a woman having her jaw broken, because she speaks up, earns no respect from me, with or without fish! As for your lame “psychologist” retort, yes, as a Psychologist I have counseled many men, including LEOs who suffer from their uncontrolled agressive behaviors. Happily retired now though, “youngster”, just getting a kick out of watching twits like you, and dsteven make fools of yourselves.
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on June 10, 2009 at 3:15 PM
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on June 10, 2009 at 3:15 PM
AMEM
Texas ROT rally starts tomorrow!
scootertrash on June 10, 2009 at 3:36 PM
This Deputy Sheriff was right and he did protect this elderly citzen from further harm. I think the court system should protect her and us from further harm also, by taking away her privilege to drive, thank god she didn’t swerve a little in that construction zone and kill a few construction workers. Thanks Deputy….
ahkjr33 on June 10, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Ride to live…
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on June 10, 2009 at 3:58 PM
OK, I’ve had enough of this crap. This cop needs to be fired. And if his subsequent wrongful discharge suit shows that he was, in fact, following department policy, then the people who wrote that fucked up policy all need to be fired.
This is out of control. Let the lady drive away and note that she refused to sign the damn ticket, sir. This isn’t some little fiefdom of yours; you enforce traffic laws, douchebag.
Jaibones on June 10, 2009 at 4:03 PM
The officer deserves a medal.It was obvious that this woman was a danger to herself. The officer bravely used his donut induced 300 lbs to shove the criminal out of danger, then difused the situation by by bravely zapping her with 50,000 volts. Thank God for the bravery this officer showed in bringing down this ruthless criminal.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Jeff from WI, are you really that silly? Of course she was not a ruthless criminal, but she could have been a very dangerous person. That 300lb. Deputy could have put her on the ground and she may have suffered a lot more damage. What if that Deputy had just let her drive off, looked like a lot more construction going on, with her already upset, that really could have caused a problem. I know I would have been upset if she went on down the road and caused injury to someone in my family that may have been working there or driving. Now if he had grabbed her, you would have said look at the 300lb. Deputy manhandling that little old lady. The Deputy is in a no win situtation.
ahkjr33 on June 10, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Jeff from WI, are you really that silly? Of course she was not a ruthless criminal, but she could have been a very dangerous person. That 300lb. Deputy could have put her on the ground and she may have suffered a lot more damage.
You seem quite upset AH, you better not drive or you might drive through my town and drive into my driveway and drive through my garage, out the back wall, and hit my Labrador retriever.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 4:54 PM
No this Gestapo officer made the situation what it was. All that he needed to do was give granny a warning and walk away. But no, being a fascist totalitarian thug he needed to enforce the law to it’s utmost limit, which obviously included electrocuting a 72 year old unarmed woman.
doriangrey on June 10, 2009 at 4:54 PM
After reading some of the “logic” in here, I’m beginning to understand how Obama got elected.
Jeff from WI on June 10, 2009 at 5:01 PM
He used excessive force. He’s probably more than twice her size and if he couldn’t arrest an old lady without tasing her, then he shouldn’t be a cop.
Livefreeordie on June 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM
The “he was protecting HER” line is absolute garbage as well.
Losing control of your muscles and falling while being electrocuted with 50,000 volts then having an officer put your hands into cuffs is somehow better than having an officer put your hands into cuffs? Bizarro world.
This guy gives good cops a bad name, but so does other cops saying “Oh he was completely justified, in fact I’d break my mother’s jaw if she did that!” Why is it so hard to acknowledge that pumping an old woman full of electricity was not the best course of action in that situation?
brogers on June 10, 2009 at 5:46 PM
So are you trying to say that anyone who writes is doing the same thing as Hitler when he wrote Mein Kampf? Or anyone who owns a gun is like that evil person who killed that security guard at the Holocaust Memorial with a shotgun today?
Your logic = fail.
rogue780 on June 10, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Case in point today…….kindly “grandfather type”, part of “the greatest generation”. BTW also a racist bigot. Probably wouldn’t hurt a fly.
GarandFan on June 10, 2009 at 6:22 PM
So what happened dorian? Why do you hate cops? Did you get turned down for a job in police work? Did one beat you up? Did a cop bang your girl?
Which is it?
NC Cop on June 10, 2009 at 7:13 PM
I do not think it was over the top. And as was shown in the video, she was not going to be appeased. You claiming that there was another tactic the officer could have used that would have worked is pure speculation on your part and assumes the officer has some sort of super power that would turn her into a complacent zombie. He was simply doing his job respectfully and she popped a cork on him. So you see, he did it the way you say he should have and it didn’t work. He is not a magician nor does he have the power of mind control.
And as it has been pointed out, the tasing was safer for her than forcing her arms behind her back. Which he did attempt, but fortunately stopped. She would have broken her arm or caused herself some other serious injury resisting him.
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 7:59 PM
So you are advocating the officer break the law?
So any person who refuses to sign should be let go?
Or do we only let old people go?
What age is the cut off? 70? 60?
How do we apply equal protection with that policy?
Should the officer be held liable if it is determined that the person he let go was mentally impaired and not simply having a bad day?
csdeven on June 10, 2009 at 8:03 PM
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