Loyola University. Credit: Jeremy Bressman

Loyola University’s campus police are exploring the option of arming it’s officers with tasers, according to a recent article by the Loyola Phoenix, the school’s paper.   Tasers have become controversial recently, following numerous deaths and the infamous University of Florida incident that was captured on video and posted to YouTube.  One student has posted to his blog five reasons why he is against the move, essentially stating they are unnecessary.

Campus saftey liason Tim Cunningham said “The initiative to obtain Tasers is for the safety of the university’s students, faculty and staff.” There were a handful of specific incidents that led to the initiative, including one where an officer was beaten by two offenders.  Officers carrying a taser would be required to undergo additional training, according to the article.

Chicago Police officers along with some in the suburbs currently carry tasers, and just last December a man who was arrested died after being tasered twice – once after apparently becoming combative at the police station while being taken to court and once again while in the hospital receiving treatment.  The father of the victim is suing the City, claiming excessive force.  The Chicago Tribune last summer reported that the use of tasers, which are designed to reduce the need for gunfire, increased exponentially over the past few years but has not necessarily resulted in police shooting their guns less.

What do you think – is arming Loyola Campus Safety officers with tasers a good idea, or bad?  Let us know in the comments.

Tags: Dont Tase Me Bro, Loyola University, public safety, tasers