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If this went the way it was described in the post above, I'd hate to try and explain this one. If the person was a threat, that would be one thing, but it doesnt sound like it above.

As a PO, we do have to justify using this tool if we use it. Our training did include being told that these devices have been involved in incidents where the suspect has died, but that it was not due to the use of the Taser, but rather the suspects drug use. Tests have been done with probes being placed on either side of a pacemaker, with no effects on the heart. Now If a pacemaker patient did not have any side-effects, no one else should either due to a medical condition.

My department has had a Taser involved fatality, but investigation later proved that the individual had a long history of excessive drug use, and had at that time been under the influence of a lethal overdose--he would have died even if he had stayed at home and not gotten into the altercation with officers. The increased heart rate due to the fight he started, and the eventual taser deployment may have taken a few minutes off his life, but that is all. He was tased when he reached for something into his pocket, which turned out to be a knife. Officers were cleared.

I cant speak for all departments, but in mine, if you want to carry a taser, you go through the training to do so--which includes getting hit with it. We were given the choice of clips or the darts we use on duty, and a 3 or 5 second burst. I chose the darts and the full 5 seconds, like many in my department. This is just to say I have been on both sides of a Taser, and have used it and seen it used in situations where the firearm would have been justified, but the officers involved chose to take a suspect into custody instead of taking a life. I personally would much rather Tase a person, than shoot them.