Student Arrested, Tasered at Kerry Event

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Florida
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<p>Watch the video. </p>

<p><a href="http://news.aol.com/story/_a/student-arrested-tasered-at-kerry-event/20070918063509990001%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://news.aol.com/story/_a/student-arrested-tasered-at-kerry-event/20070918063509990001&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Jeez....</p>

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<p>wow! Based upon the video and the news report this morning on the “Today Show”, that’s not good… to day the least. </p>

<p>As a parent, its a bit disconcerting that the on campus police would behave in such a manner. There may be more to the story then the video, so let’s see what the police say. For now, I think it looks really bad!</p>

<p>Has the university administration come out and said anything yet?</p>

<p>seiclan, was your d at the event?</p>

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<p>I haven’t spoken to her but I would highly doubt that my registered Republican daughter was there. :)</p>

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<p>Here are some comments from someone that was there:
(Stephanie Sims–>former UF College Democrats President (and about as liberal as they come))</p>

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<p>Another comment…</p>

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<p>…and more</p>

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<p>From reading comments from people that were actually there, they mostly supported police actions. Comments from people who only watched the video were against the cops actions. I think there was probably more to this, but the video makes it seem like they attacked him for asking a question.</p>

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<p>Pro cops. (10 char)</p>

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<p>Anti cops (10 char)</p>

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<p>Sorry for all the post. I just wanted you to see opinions from both sides of the story. I tend to believe the views of Stephanie from above. She was actually there and saw all the antics Mr. Meyers put on before the video start rolling.</p>

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<p>A picture is worth a thousand words.
In the Google video you can clearly see that his left hand is on the backrest of the seat. Clearly NOT handcuffed. He clearly put the UP in a no win situation. If he had pulled out a weapon and started hurting people all you would be reading about is how incompetent the UP was.</p>

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<p>I’m currently in Library West and as I was walking here there was a huge protest marching down Newell that accumulated at the Plaza of the Americas. I thought it was pretty ironic that the police escorted them even though they had signs like “Tase the Pigs!”. Hahaha. Definitely pretty crazy. I think students just want something to protest about, because a lot of people I have talked to said the guy had it coming.</p>

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<p>and join the speech and debate team. I’ve completed my rigorous coursework and am a member of our debate club… but after this incidence I will apply elsewhere.. tasering of a student??? no way…</p>

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<p>Why? You act like this happens everyday at UF. Its your decision, but an unwise one to me.</p>

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<p>E-Mail from Student Government:</p>

<p>As you are by now aware, yesterday afternoon, as a town hall forum with
Senator John Kerry was ending, there was an incident in which a student
was tasered. Many of you, and many of your parents, have expressed your
concerns regarding this incident to me and my staff. I would like to
assure you that the University is interested in learning what happened and
in ensuring that we utilize best practice protocols in maintaining a safe
campus environment while protecting the freedom to speak.</p>

<p>I would like to reiterate the immediate steps, laid out by President
Machen in his letter to the university community, which are being taken in
response to the incident.</p>

<p>University of Florida Police Chief Linda Stump has requested the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement conduct a formal investigation into the
arrest of UF student Andrew Meyer. An independent review such as this will
make sure the results are objective and impartial. Chief Stump’s priority
is to ensure that the public remains confident in the department’s ability
to keep the campus safe.</p>

<p>Two officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid
administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.</p>

<p>The institution plans to assemble a panel of faculty and students to
review our police protocols, our management practices and the FDLE report
to come up with a series of recommendations for the university.</p>

<p>Administrators and police officials plan to analyze the incident and
conduct an internal review and will consider changing protocols in
response to this incident, if necessary.</p>

<p>Finally, as is standard procedure, the State Attorney’s Office will review
the charges brought against Mr. Meyer. We have communicated with the State
Attorney and understand that a review of the case will be expedited.</p>

<p>We plan to keep students updated on any progress through our website,
<a href=“http://www.vpsa.ufl.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.vpsa.ufl.edu</a>.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>Patricia Telles-Irvin
Vice President for Student Affairs</p>

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<ol>
<li> They allowed him to speak. 2. They didn’t perceive him as a threat to begin with. 3. I believe he had time left and they just didn’t like his questioning. Even if he didn’t have time left nobody asked him to leave.. What is going to happen to me? I get tasered if i go over the alloted time? Senator Kerry stated that he would answer his questions..</li>
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<p>From talking to my friends that went, he loudly disrupted room when he enter towards the end of Kerry’s time there and demanded that his question be answered even though the previous person was suppose to be the last person. So at the beginning they did perceive him as a threat when he first enter b/c of the behavior he exhibited previously. As for the question, he didnt have a question. He spent most of his time lecturing Kerry and not asking a specific question. To me, he was only going to be escorted out at the beginning but when he starts pulling away (aggressively) from the police and later resisting arrest…they took further actions. I probably wont not have tased him but its one of the techniques the police use to subdue someone.</p>

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<p>I read in the news that the student had a history of doing comedy skits on his web site so perhaps one of his “jackass” type skits backfired on him. If this is true, he will probably get 15 minutes of fame and do the talk show circuit to get the attention he supposedly desires.</p>

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<p>there were at least 6 officers there…they all should have carried him out after they got him on the ground…no need for the taser</p>

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<p>FYI</p>

<p>Here’s the taser policy at UTexas UPD (I guess its similar/same here). </p>

<p>K. M-26 Advanced TASER (a.k.a. Air Taser, TASER, M-26):

  1. The TASER is deployed as an additional police tool and is not intended to replace firearms or self-defense techniques. The TASER may be used to control a dangerous or violent subject when deadly force does not appear to be justified and/or necessary; or attempts to subdue the subject by other conventional tactics have been, or will likely be, ineffective in the situation at hand; or there is reasonable expectation that it will be unsafe for officers to approach within contact range of the subject.</p>

<ol>
<li>Duties After Deployment of TASER.
a. TASER probes that penetrate the skin should be removed by medical personnel.
b. Photographs will be taken of probe impact sites and any other related injuries and placed into evidence.
c. Probes, which have penetrated the skin, should be treated as biohazards. Probes should be carefully placed, sharp tip first, back into the expended cartridge bores and secured with tape.</li>
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