SEATTLE - Six Officer involved incidents that have left 5 people dead another injured in a week. Many people are asking can Police protect the public without using lethal force. Some believe new technology that doesn't require bullets or an electrical charge is the answer.
One of those options could be the Dazer Laser. Ryan Battis with Laser Energetics explains.
"They are non-lethal, less violent, visual impairment ocular distracters," said Battis.
According to Battis the crime fighting tool doesn't require bullets from a gun or an electrical jolt from a taser.
"What that means is that we use a green laser to impair the vision of a subject so they cannot judge distances, judge shadows or engage an Officer because he can't see," said Battis.
The Dazer Laser is designed to stun someone so an Officer can take them down. But, Veteran cops like Sergeant Frank Kampsen aren't sold just yet on laser beam law enforcement.
"You hit a guy with a light, the bright light and maybe he can't see he's still got a weapon in his hands, I'm not going to take him while he's still got it in his hand, it's just not going to happen," said Kampsen.
Seattle Police are looking into getting the Dazer Laser but the Department doesn't have the money for it right now.
Another high-tech gizmo that provides transparency and accountability for Officer's actions are portable cameras they can wear. One of those products is made by Vievu. The camera can be clipped to the Officer and records everything he or she does like handling traffic stops or dealing with armed suspects.
Seattle City Councilman Bruce Harrell pitched the idea for the cameras. The Council is considering having Officers wear them on the beat sometime in the future.
"It protects the rights of citizens, as well as rights of Officers, you'd be hard pressed to convince me this isn't the right way to go to improve public safety efforts for our city," said Harrell.
Right now, Officers in Orting are testing a camera much like the Vievu. Lake Forest Park and Blaine Police Departments have also tried out the cameras.
Frank Kampsen says these crime fighting gizmos may help but can't replace good old fashioned Police work. Especially when it comes to saving lives.
"But, we need the public to understand if we get into a situation, sometimes we have to use deadly force, what we mean by that, we have to stop that individual from doing us further harm or anybody else further harm," said Kampsen.
Getting Officers to wear those cameras in Seattle might take some work. They are expensive and the budget is tight. The ACLU has had problems with the cameras in the past, and the Seattle Police Officer's Guild is concerned the cameras might discourage people from giving tips.
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