Letter: Police to educate public on Tasers

To the Editor:

In a Feb. 9 commentary, Richard Johnson wrote that he believed that Tasers should no longer be used by law enforcement because they are a form of “torture.” He also gave information on the Taser that was grossly inaccurate. I respect anyone’s right to give their opinion on anything they wish, but it is a great disservice when information given misleads the public.

I believe that Tasers are valuable tool for law enforcement. Like any other tool at law enforcement disposal, in order for it to be used correctly officers need good equipment, good training, proper policies and most of all, good common sense.

Johnson approached the Red Wing Human Rights Commission, to which I am the city liaison, and made his plea that the use of Tasers by the Red Wing Police Department needs to be looked at. He is asking this even though there had not been any complaints by citizens. My recommendation, as the chief of police, was that the department could conduct an educational meeting on how the Red Wing Police Department uses Tasers, which would include how officers are trained and the policies that they go by. The Red Wing Human Rights Commission adopted this plan.

On Wednesday night starting at 6 p.m., there will be a meeting at the Red Wing Public Library where the Red Wing Police Department will demonstrate how the Taser is used, the training officers receive and the policies that are in place. Anyone interested in the use of Tasers by the Red Wing Police Department is encouraged to attend.

If people are not able to make this meeting and have questions on the use of Tasers, they are encouraged to contact me. I, or someone else from our department, will be more then happy to discuss this issue with you.

Tim Sletten, Red Wing

Tags: opinion, taser, sletten, johnson