Taser Death in San Jose Raises Questions

February 19, 2009
by Alum, San Jose State University

San Jose State University students are questioning why there is now a sixth taser-related death in their city. Tasers are used by campus police as well...

In a Feb. 17 article in the Spartan Daily (university paper) UPD Sgt. John Laws said campus police (UPD) DO use Tasers although there "has never had a Taser-related death on campus."

The student paper reports that the sergeant's first response when he heard of Lua's death was "Oh no, not again. Tasers get such bad publicity any time there is a negative incident," he said. "Which means I am going to have to be explaining how the Taser works and what goes on with a Taser and why there can be a death involved with a Taser."

Laws went on to say that the UPD employs two Taser instructors and two more officers are being sent to Taser instructor school. "Peace Officers Standards and Training commission for California mandates four hours of Taser training before you can carry and use a Taser," he said in the article.

Isn't it just a matter of time before the tasers injure or kill someone on campus?