A documentary that talks about the dangers of the use of tasers is an important topic. After all, since they were first introduced, there have been a few stories on the news of folks who died after the device was used...and no one wants that. So I was actually looking forward to seeing this one...and was left feeling frustrated because the film ended up looking like one-sided documentary evidence for folks suing the taser manufacturer instead of really educating the viewer. It contends that tasers can kill...no duh, Sherlock! We KNOW that they can kill. But the film never talks about OTHER supposedly non-lethal methods...how do they compare to the taser?! How about stun guns, batons or other methods?! This IS a very important omission...and one that left me baffled unless the film had no intention in telling the whole story. This is never explored because the film appears not to care in the least...it just wants to attack the taser. Are there many witnesses that discuss other methods law enforcement should be using instead? Nope. It's just a long attack on the taser and they quickly say (with no evidence to back it up) that the taser doesn't save many police officers' lives?! I am NOT pro-taser (and have no real involvement in the argument) but it still sounds better than having cops going into potential problem situations with their guns drawn!
I might have been convinced that tasers should be eliminated had the film bothered to present an intelligent and well-documented case. Sadly, after seeing the film what I really know is that the taser manufacturer has deep pockets and there are lawsuits...and several are listed at the end. Not filled with good empirical evidence or comparisons...just, what appears to me, to be a hatchet job. I am still waiting and still want to know...should the police be using them? And, if so, when? And, if improvements can be made to make them safer, what?!