Former senior cop calls for tasers after police shootings

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Thompson yesterday called on the government to invest in Tasers to minimise the use of deadly force by police officers.

However, Mr Thompson defended police officers needing to protect themselves if their lives are threatened. He said he would much rather “have a friend in the force who I have to get a lawyer for than to get an undertaker for”.

His statements come after police shot and killed a man on Sunday night after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers during a foot chase in the Chippingham area.

As it stands, police have shot seven suspects since August 13, five of whom have died. According to The Tribune’s records, there have been seven fatal police shootings this year.

Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Thompson said while the Royal Bahamas Police Force is doing a “remarkable job” in handling the various threats presented to them on a daily basis, equipping police officers with Tasers can provide an effective yet non-lethal alternative for subduing criminals attempting to put their lives in danger.

“One of the things I would like to see, is that the government invest in the Taser, where in some instances you don’t have to use deadly force, you can use the Taser,” he said. “For example the fellow in the shantytown who was fighting and got shot in his leg and died, that is a situation where probably a Taser could have been used.”

Mr Thompson was referring to Nixon Vixamar, who was shot and killed by police on August 14 while in the process of arresting him at his Gamble Heights home. Vixamar was wanted by police for several complaints of assault.

“A lot of (police) forces are using them,” Mr Thompson continued. “In the United States, England, Jamaica, Trinidad, they all get the Tasers. So you don’t always have to get in (gun) fights. You can put (the suspect) out for a while and put your handcuffs on. So that’s something I think they should invest in.”

However, Mr Thompson insisted that police officers “shoot to live, not to kill,” and said there is not much time to think when faced with death.

“You’re dealing with some bad people,” he said. “When you corner them with a gun or after a chase and they come out and start shooting at you, you can’t run and hide. You have your gun too. And you have to do something about them because they’re bad people.”

He added: “Police officers only have about three seconds to decide what to do. When the man turns with the gun and points it at you, or starts shooting at you, what are you going to do? There’s nothing else. If people could tell us what else could be done then it’s something you would consider. I hear people talk about shooting the gun out of the hand – you have to be a marksman to do that. Shooting in the leg doesn’t help because the fellow if he gets hit in the leg he could still shoot you. His hands are there. So that is why I say police shoot to live, not to kill.”

In light of the dangers police officers are faced with on a daily basis, Mr Thompson called on the government to compensate police officers in overtime pay and/or days off.

Recently, State Minister of National Security Keith Bell indicated that the government plans to appeal a Supreme Court ruling that it should pay overtime to police officers who worked a 12-hour shift in late 2013 or give them the equivalent time in days off.

“I believe the politicians should realise now the danger that police officers are in, and give them credit for the work they are doing, and either pay them overtime or give them the time back,” Mr Thompson said yesterday. “These men are out there doing a remarkable job. They are exposing themselves to all kinds of danger, and you don’t want to give them a little overtime pay or give them the time back?”

Comments

TruePeople says...

Paying police overtime should not be a question

Posted 26 August 2015, 1:52 p.m. Suggest removal

Sickened says...

Do you honestly think that a policeman's salary is adequate? That last I heard their average salary is between $15 & $18k a year. That is a very poor standard of living ESPECIALLY based on the risk most of them take on a daily basis.

Posted 26 August 2015, 2:47 p.m. Suggest removal

TruePeople says...

That's my point exactly. And on top of that they want them to work for free when working extra hours? If anything the current situation only encourages police corruption and/or slackness.

Posted 26 August 2015, 2:58 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

I agree tasers should be used. I regret all loss of life.

Posted 26 August 2015, 2:30 p.m. Suggest removal

TruthHurts says...

Oh! Spare me!! We're not dealing with the average criminal who holds people up and JUST RUNS AWAY! NO! We're dealing with psychopaths who rob their victim then kill them, folks that come out of jail that commit heinous crimes after heinous crime then laugh their way to the court house. No! We're dealing with Bahamian as well as immigrant criminals who go on social media and threaten the police. Fathers being gunned down right in front of innocent children that are scarred for life! And you say use a 'stun-gun'??? Who brings a knife to a obvious gun fight?? The loss of human life? It is shameful and a travesty to kill a killer; but a good thing to give him grace to kill and kill again? The last time I checked these criminals don't act much in the way of a human being. Ever heard the saying.. you live by the sword you die by it? It is a evil spirit that consumes a man's heart to do such gruesome things that these guys have done and continue to do to those around them. I have no love for them; shoot to kill!

Posted 27 August 2015, 7:40 a.m. Suggest removal

thephoenix562 says...

Tasers against Ak-47's are you kidding me.Anyone who points a gun/fires at the police should know the results.A policeman is trained to shoot to kill to protect their life or another persons
life or to protect property.No warning shots or trying to hit the leg .The police officer follows certain rules and he knows he can face charges if he is found to be negligent.The politicians
should try going into a pitch black manhole 3am in the morning not knowing who or what awaits you then let me hear them complaining about police overtime.Pay the Police.

Posted 26 August 2015, 3:14 p.m. Suggest removal

My2cents says...

Criminals show zero fear and have little respect for police officers as it stands. If they are armed with lethal weapons, the officers should be as well. Maybe teasers could work in the family islands? But definitely not a good idea for the brazen criminals in Nassau.

Posted 26 August 2015, 7:36 p.m. Suggest removal

TruthHurts says...

Agreed!!!

Posted 27 August 2015, 7:44 a.m. Suggest removal

Bahamianpride says...

What is police base pay does anyone know?

Posted 26 August 2015, 3:26 p.m. Suggest removal

Wideawake says...

What does the government spend on police salaries each year? Whatever it is, it should be increased, and there should not even be a discussion as to whether or not our policemen and
policewomen should be paid overtime when required to work additional hours!

Posted 26 August 2015, 3:45 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

SEVEN SHOT. Five dead and in all except one case the suspects were said to be armed. The real results is that the country is experiencing the greatest lull in murder in months. Yes there may be a place for teasers on the police force but when police are chasing and coming face to face with hardened and career criminals who are usually armed and ready to kill, they must meet fire with fire. Otherwise The results could be, "seven police shot, five dead. ". Any loss of life is not good

Posted 27 August 2015, 6 a.m. Suggest removal

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