Boy, this thread took off like wildfire.
OC (pepper spray) and the Tazer, when used properly, will incapacitate anyone, even those not feeling pain and those that are highly-motivated to stay in the fight.
OC causes the mucus membranes to swell as well as the eyes. The result is labored breathing due to nasal and esophageal blockage in addition to a rapid loss of electrolytes and leukocytes. Unlike "Mace" or other chemical sprays, it also works on aggressive dogs.
The Tazer causes the affected muscle groups to involuntarily contract and sends a series of carefully patterned and highly disruptive electrical signal pulses to the brain while the device is activated and proper contact is maintained.
Both result in pain, but in some ways, neither uses pain for compliance, such as a come-along hold or arm-bar take-down. The pain is really a side-effect. The initial compliance comes from disruption and incapacitation. Surrender comes from a threat of continued applications. In most cases, a successful end-result relies heavily on a person willing to use reason (or instinct) to surrender. In cases where they are not willing to surrender and comply with verbal commands, the officers are forced to continue immobilizing applications until the subject is exhausted or the police use overwhelming manpower to restrain or otherwise incapacitate the subject.
In cases of in-custody death involving either of these “tools” or methods, generally there are a number of other factors involved that are likely unknown to the police at the time of the altercation; Drug-induced psychosis, hypertension, high or low blood-pressure, obesity and a history of mental health or drug abuse problems. In most cases, you will find several of these factors are at play in addition to dehydration, exhaustion, positional asphyxia and/or high levels of stimulant drugs on-board.
At this time, there is no one “magic” weapon or tool that can applied in all cases and ensure a 100% non-lethal result with 100% compliance. Officers need to be familiar with the proper application of all of the tools at their disposal and evaluate each situation with due consideration for the limitations and risks involved to all parties. This includes a wide array of tools and levels of force, ranging from verbal commands, through hands-on, chemical sprays and electrical devices, impact weapons, K-9 force, less-lethal projectiles, choke-holds and deadly force.
Citizens or communities choosing to deny or remove any of these tools or levels of force from their peace officers are placing the officers and suspects at much greater risk of injury or death. Taking away mid-level options will force officers to either opt for a lower level that will likely be inadequate or ineffective, or opt for a greater level of force that increases the risk to suspects.
Officers are not required or expected to climb the “force ladder” one rung at a time, but rather, are trained to predicate their force, based upon their assessment of the suspect and the suspect’s willingness or demonstrated ability to resist or overcome lower levels of force. Predication relies heavily upon each officer having a number of effective tools at their disposal as well as proper training on the use of those tools and confidence in their ability to apply the chosen tool(s) effectively.
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