WSU students electrified by police forum

Speaking to a crowd of roughly 50 students, WSU Police Officer Kelly Stewart and Pullman Police Senior Patrol Officer Scott Kirk conducted a forum Tuesday afternoon in the CUB Lair concerning the use of non-lethal force.

“You all want to see someone get tased, don’t you? ” said Kirk. “That’s the reason all of you are here.”

Kirk demonstrated the debilitating effects of tasers by shooting Brandon Wilson, a junior criminal justice major, with the “non-lethal” device.

Standing several yards away from Wilson, Kirk aimed the taser at the student’s back and pulled the trigger, sending two barbed hooks spiraling into Wilson. As 50,000 volts passed through Wilson’s body, interrupting his nervous system, the student’s arms clamped against his sides and his body appeared to spasm before going limp. He fell to the ground with the aid of WSU Police Chief Bill Gardiner and officer Stewart.

After regaining motor function about a minute later, Wilson attempted to describe the experience. He said, “I was frozen. I couldn’t do anything.”

The demonstration concluded a two-part discussion that focused on the resistance and enforcement continuums and non-lethal products, such as tear gas, smoke and rubber bullets.

Stewart described the multi-part continuums and how officers are trained to respond to varying levels of aggression. According to Stewart’s PowerPoint presentation, the resistance and enforcement continuums are used by officers to determine whether they should escalate or deescalate their response in relation to a subject’s actions. He said the models are important for officers to understand because sometimes the police make mistakes.

Beginning with “compliant” and ending with “aggravated aggression,” the resistance model also helps officers establish when and how to properly use force. “The bottom line is that an officer’s actions have to be reasonable and necessary,” Stewart said.

Taking the microphone from Stewart, Kirk said, “I get to show you all the fun stuff.” Kirk explained how the non-lethal devices work and which ones are used by local officers. He described the modern police force as "a kinder, gentler police force.”

Junior communications major Keegan Snow said the event cemented his views on tasers. “They are a pretty efficient non-lethal force,” he added. “I kinda want to get tased now.”

Other students said the forums were a good public relations campaign for the Pullman and WSU police forces. “Students don’t think too highly of the police so I recommend students come to these (forums),” freshman criminal justice major Mark Roberto said.

Explaining the importance of interacting with students, Stewart said, “Just because we wear a uniform and a badge, that doesn’t mean we are not approachable.”

WSU Police Chief Bill Gardner said the forums are an attempt to connect with the student body and help students place a name with the badge.

The presentation was the first of three forums that will be hosted by the WSU Police Advisory Board. Subsequent forums will be held on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10 and focus on victim’s rights and how drug dogs find illegal narcotics.


Sources
Mark Ferenc Roberto
Student Directory Number (206-542-5157)
Personal Number (206-795-2140)

Keegan James Snow (206-551-7608)

Brandon Neal Wilson (509-448-3411)

WSU Police Chief Bill Gardner (509-335-8548)

WSU Police Officer Kelly Stewart (509-335-4408)

Pullman Police Senior Patrol Officer Scott Kirk (509-332-0802)

Questions
1. How has the Pullman Police Department changed its policies for use of force since the 1997 riot?

2. Amnesty International and various other organizations have requested police forces across the country to refrain or limit their use of tasers. How would you address critics who oppose less-lethal uses of force such as tasers?

3. Determining the proper use of force is a largely subjective decision. Describe the training process that new recruits undergo so that they understand the gravity of their decisions? Basically, what should younger officers be told so they will not liberally use devices like the taser?