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Genuine question:
Why is there a public perception of Taser as a last resort use of force when actually pretty much the reverse is true?*
In fact this could be extended to ask why there is such a general lack of understanding around police use of force.**
Why is there a public perception of Taser as a last resort use of force when actually pretty much the reverse is true?*
In fact this could be extended to ask why there is such a general lack of understanding around police use of force.**
*
Does this sit in its origins as an alternative to lethal force?
* / **
Public misinformation from those who have a vested interest in outrage / public mistrust?
Only the mis-use of force gets publicised?
A lack of public and credible alternative narrative to the above?
Does this sit in its origins as an alternative to lethal force?
* / **
Public misinformation from those who have a vested interest in outrage / public mistrust?
Only the mis-use of force gets publicised?
A lack of public and credible alternative narrative to the above?
Do we need a really public conversation? I don’t mean political or strategic engagement, policies or papers, but mass public-focussed PR and community activity explaining the ordinary everyday threat, its impact, the law, our options and exploring potential alternatives.
Sections of the public perceive de-escalation and Taser as ‘soft’ because we should just ‘get stuck in’, others perceive Taser as a higher use of force than injurious control and restrain skills.
We know these perceptions aren’t realistic but we can’t ignore that these are public perceptions as, as such, affect public trust and confidence in the police despite being opposite opinions, and we need to do something about that.
We need the public to understand policing, and they’re not going to do that unless the police themselves provide an alternative, realistic narrative to counter the very vocal few with biased agendas and misconceptions from action TV shows.
