While I still have my doubts about the less-than-lethal rating of the taser, I will leave that alone for the moment.
If I stipulate that the device is an excellent tool for the preservation of human life when properly used, then would you all agree that the larger part of the problem is the human element?
Quite frankly, I would like to see every single law enforcement agency in the country subject to Citizen Review Boards, chosen much as jurors are chosen, with an independent legal adviser and with the authority to sanction, up to and including termination of employment, those officers found to be guilty of any of the abuses of authority that have been documented. An officer sanctioned by such a review board would not be eligible for a review by a Civil Service board, but would be eligible, at his/her own expense, for a review by an appeals court in his/her state.
Additionally, any officer found to have abused his/her authority to the level of meriting termination should be, as a part of the process, be required to surrender whatever certification his state requires of law enforcement officers and be permanently barred from law enforcement work.
I can almost hear the police unions howling now!!
If we are honest, both LEOs and non-LEOs will admit that there are men and women who should never be trusted with authority.