Should White Sticks For Blind People Be Redesigned?

[Gromit]

// A police force has apologised after a blind man was Tasered because his cane was mistaken for a firearm.
"Officers have been with him, and have now apologised for what happened."

// In 2012, a blind man was Tasered in Chorley, Lancashire, after his white stick was mistaken for a Samurai sword. //

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39070339

[Jackdaw33]

The blind police are more in need of redesign.

[Patsy33]

Useless comes to mind....

[sinderella]

"Our officers have explained why a Taser was deployed and the man acknowledged that his behaviour could have led to people being concerned.

[Mamyalynne]

It says the stick was folded up, I have two of those - if he was acting oddly it could have looked like anything rather than a stick.

[MallyJ]

Your Answer...Perhaps more stringent eyesight tests administered to both serving police people on a regular basis as well as new recruits would ensure that a white stick is not mistaken for a Japanese sword.

[Mamyalynne]

I should add my reply was regarding the issue in the link not the case from 2012 (Sword).

[mikey4444]

I am with Patsy here......its the Plods who are in need of change.

Act now, and beggar the consequences seems to be their motto.

[aelmpvw]

i'm not sure how you can redesign a stick ...

[mikey4444]

I suppose this chap should be grateful that he wasn't going into a Tube Station, with a rucksack on his back, otherwise he might be dead now.

[GenuineclAss]

Maybe he was standing in the shadows, but I must admit, I've never seen a white firearm. The police do seem to be a tad trigger-happy these days.

[mushroom25]

//I suppose this chap should be grateful that he wasn't going into a Tube Station, with a rucksack on his back, otherwise he might be dead now. //

the authorities could always compel the innocent to wear high visibility clothing with the words "Brazilian electrician" prominently displayed.

[mikey4444]

Yeah they could I suppose Mush, but in this case it probably wouldn't have helped.

If this chap had worn a Hi-Viz jacket, with the words

" Don't taser men, I am blind and this isn't a gun"

it was dark and the Plods could still say they weren't really sure, so lets taser him anyway.

At least he wasn't carrying a table leg in a carrier bag !

[Islay]

Don't the police shout warnings before tasering someone?
Also the report states there were 2 witness's that claim he was acting in an agitated manner and it was dark, so why did he not respond to the police? Lessons to be learnt all round I think.

[mikey4444]

Well, if were blind and the Plods were yelling at me, than I think I might have acted somewhat in an "agitated" manner as well.

At least the Plods have admitted that they were wrong.

[douglas9401]

"i'm not sure how you can redesign a stick ..."

Start with some....er.....stickers? :P