Comments on: Traffic-Stop Taser Cop Acted "Reasonably"

Utah Officials Say Trooper Felt Threatened In Incident Widely Viewed On YouTube Website

[kevzgrl]

"We found that Trooper Gardner''s actions were lawful and reasonable under the circumstances," Davenport said at a news conference, joined by Scott Duncan, commissioner of the UHP''s parent agency, the Utah Department of Public Safety.
How in the H-E-LL was this gonzo officer "threatened"? I have seen the video over and over, on TV and the Web, and the young man did not make ANY threatening comments or actions that could POSSIBLY have led that policeman to feel he was in imminent danger of harm. Just another case of a cop going WAY over the top, and his buddies higher up protecting him - he ought to be disciplined, not praised as a HERO.

[exnewsdir]

The driver''s signature WASN''T NECESSARY to issue the ticket? Then ALL of Gardner''s behavior after Massey refused to sign was unreasonable. He could have said "You''ll get your court summons in the mail, drive safely, have a nice day." But he had to feel like the big man. So he felt threatened by a confused nerd, his pregnant wife, and a baby?

[cepe10-2009]

UHP has clearly shown what a corrupt organization they are now. Gardner''s and the UHP''s problems are many here. First he is not secure in his knowledge of what he is doing. To be in enforcement (and in this case act as a prosecutor later in court) the officer needs to be able to speak to the elements of the crime. The first thing I see here is that the reduced speed ahead signage was missing and he is targeting in an area too close to the change Spped trap). This is inconsistent with the statute and posting requirements. Gardner is insecure because he is not competent in using speed measurement devices or have a grasp on public safety and having a real traffic safety policy in place. I suspect from his actions just issuing tickets for the UHP''s purpose of showing they are doing something and to generate revenues for the state and insurance companies, not with regard to public safety. The Tasing was not justified by any means - there is no law that a traveler has to accept the citation - he had a registered vehicle and licence -that is all that is need to prosecute and with the state DMV agreements in place their is no reason too suspect the defendant would get away without answering to the charge. So that excuse is out. This really just a sad excuse for a human being who is insecure and has a chip on his shoulder. His quick depature from the truth when speaking to the other officer speaks volumes!

[exnewsdir]

The driver''s signature WASN''T NECESSARY to issue the ticket? Then ALL of Gardner''s behavior after Massey refused to sign was unreasonable. He could have said "You''ll get your court summons in the mail, drive safely, have a nice day." But he had to feel like the big man. So he felt threatened by a confused nerd, his pregnant wife, and a baby?

[slim1h2o]

I think we have a new reality show in the makings!

Cops Gone Wild!

[rowdytexan2]

Tasers should be considered just lilke any other deadly force, a last resort. And obviously this cop got his jollies by applying it, if he could joke about it. He needs, like so many do, to go back to Constitution class. We don''t torture in this country.

Their job is dangerous and it''s dirty. But it was obvious on the tape the young man was just trying to make his point. This cop was way out of line. They had to look really hard at the tape to find something they could point at if all they had was him reaching for his pocket, geezus.

[myidoncbs]

"A Utah trooper who used a Taser ... felt threatened..."

Pu$$y!

"...and acted reasonably"

BS!

The cop was belligerant and stupid. They driver was belligerant and stupid. But Tasers can KILL. There was NO NEED to taser that kid. He was NOT running away. He DID NOT present any danger to the cop or to anyone else.

Just be glad the cop wasn''t gunownerdan or one of his buddies, though. They promise to shoot to kill whenever they feel "threatened"!

If this trend continues, soon the legal definition of "threaten" will be met by anyone who "looks at you cross-eyed"!

[hsinco-2009]

If you are "scared" that easily as a cop, maybe it is time to move to a job in shopping center security!

[shanev137]

The cop lied on the tape at the end.

Utah authorities call that reasonable?

What are you Mormons smoking up there?

[fibonacci_]

I think definately that some of the least intelligent people in America live in that state.

[Krazcarl]

Did anyone expect any different.