Posted on Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
Ypsilanti police use Taser on suspected drunken driver
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Ypsilanti police used a Taser on a 28-year-old suspected drunken driver who appeared "ready to assault police" on Saturday evening, reports said.
Officers made a traffic stop on the man's vehicle in the 1000 block of Monroe Street at about 9 p.m., reports said.
The driver became hostile and uncooperative, got out of his vehicle and appeared ready to fight, police said. A Taser was deployed, and the man was taken into custody, reports said.
The man was turned over to the Washtenaw County Jail on a bond violation, reports said. Police are seeing charges of second-offense drunken driving and resisting police.
Comments
Hamburg
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
I hate to tell you this, but the police are not there to be punching bags to every drunken, angry moron that comes their way. You want to offer an opinion how these situations should be handled? Get out of your stuffed sofas and become a cop. Just like that guy that asked people for help and than stabbed them, the cops don't know what's in a person's mind or their intent. You want to give the benefit of the doubt to that guy with the angry look on his face? Go ahead. Lets see how long you last.
actionjackson
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 9:45 a.m.
I'm sure that folks put in a situation of being attacked had a taser with them they would have used it also. Beats letting the attacker in too close, too late.
RoboLogic
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
@stevek @quetzalcoatl--Wrong, it is also afforded to those who obey police orders. Absolutely. Stop resisting- Problem solved.
Chuck
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.
I think that a suspect should be more than just "ready to assault". The police should only use a taser if the suspect is "Attempting to assault" To me, there is a big difference, and it shouldn't be entirely left to an officer's discretion.
stevek
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.
@quetzalcoatl--Wrong, it is also afforded to those who obey police orders.
quetzalcoatl
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
Trusting the police to do the right thing is a luxury afforded only to those who have not yet been brutalized by the police.
CountyKate
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
Malorie, from the way this story is written you can't really tell how much of a threat this guy was. I've ridden with the Ypsi police many times and they are very trained, professional and intelligent. I seriously doubt a Taser would have been used for merely looking angry. Let's be rational and realize there is probably more to the story.
M.
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : noon
I really think tasers should be a last resort. If the guy is coming at them, fire away, but if he just gets out of his car and looks angry where is the justification for using a taser?? My only issue is that tasers can and have killed people so they really shouldn't be used at every impulse.