Following two deaths in connection with the use of Tasers by the police, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has intervened in the public debate that has flared up. In a clear statement, the minister defended the use of the stun gun as an essential means of de-escalation and sharply rejected the emerging criticism of police forces. The controversy was sparked by two incidents in Olbia on Sardinia and in Genoa, in which two men died shortly after being restrained with Tasers.
An instrument for the prevention of firearms
Minister Piantedosi described the Taser as an "indispensable tool" whose main purpose is to prevent the use of potentially lethal firearms. Criticism of the Taser is often ideologically motivated and pretextual. "The rules of engagement stipulate that it should only be used when confronted with violent and aggressive people who pose a concrete danger to those present," says Piantedosi. According to initial findings, this was precisely the case in the most recent operations. The incident in Olbia took place on the fringes of a festival, where a 57-year-old man acted aggressively and also attacked a Carabiniere before the Taser was deployed.
Full backing for the emergency services
The Interior Minister expressed his deep regret over the deaths of the two men, but warned against instrumentalizing the tragedies for a campaign against the forces of law and order. "The accusations against the police, to whom we owe our full thanks and support, are completely unfounded, biased and untenable," explained Piantedosi. In both cases, the Carabinieri had acted in "extremely difficult and risky situations". While the judiciary will now investigate the exact circumstances of the deaths - an autopsy has been scheduled in Olbia - there can be no doubt about the professionalism and balance of the police forces. Respect must be paid to the officers, not only when they themselves become victims.
