Tasers work

Thank you for the excellent *article on "Taser Safety". The article was well balanced and the additional research done by your managing editor Julie Johnson was excellent. It is also important for defenders of civil liberties to question City and Police practices.

Prior to outfitting the Corning Police Officers with Tasers, a full public presentation was made to the City Council discussing the issues that were covered by the article.

While the Police Department was waiting for delivery of the new Tasers, one of our Police Officers had a violent encounter with a suspect resisting arrest and starting a rough and tumble fight on the ground with the Police Officer. In the process, the suspect repeatedly raked his fingernails across the face of the Corning Police Officer.

Yes, the attacker went to jail, but the Police Officer had serious fingernail gouges in his face that took some time to heal.

The Taser is an effective tool that has reduced the need for the police baton and the use of firearms.

We expect our Police Officers to have the courage to wade into the middle of a bar fight and bring order, but we do not expect them to go home at night to their family with their face clawed by dirty fingernails.

Rest assured the Corning Police Officers are well trained and use all force carefully.

– Steve Kimbrough, City Manager/Corning

*Taser safety - the subject is electric, Corning Observer; Friday, April 4, 2008 edition.