Reader comments
Trooper cleared: State says Taser use justified, but other agencies to review traffic stop

Thank goodness there will be investigations other than the UHP. When they make comments like Gardner has such a good record and complaints were unfounded, then maybe it's because YouTube was not available to those complainants. Something just must be done about this other than approval of Gardner's conduct. I am extremely disappointed that Davenport only protects the "officer" and could care less about the justice and unfair treatment of Mr. Massey by a fully armed, taser-ready "trooper."

As a former UHP trooper I agree this situation could have been handled much better by both people involved. But there IS fault on both sides. There should have been better communcation prior to Mr. Macey being asked to exit the vehicle. But once he is given a lawul order to put his hands behind his back he is not free to turnaround and return to his car. You just can't do that. At that point the officer does not know the intent of the violator and he can not allow access to the car. He may be going back to sit and wait for another officer to respond but he could just as easily be going back to get a weapon or flee the scene creating the potential for a high speed chase. The officer is not required to wait and see which option it will be. He is obligated to prevent that from happening using only the necessary force. Verbal commands obviously were not working. Deadly force is not an option. That means he can tackle him or use the taser. Believe it or not, the taser is the least harmful option for for Macey and the officer.

This is completely bogus. They need to get Gardner off the highway--he should not be interacting with the public with a badge and uniform. This is disgraceful.

This is sad the brass in the UHP are allowing the trooper to get away with this.

(Retired Highway Patrol)

Bill, are you not aware that tasers have caused death for quite a few people? Also couldn't Gardner simply have let Massey go and then call for a warrant to be issued for resisting arrest? Do you think, as a retired officer, that Gardner's life was in danger? It is no wonder that people resist such Gestapo treatment only to have their lives taken by armed officers. It is either do what they say or get shot or injured even if it was for nothing. A well-trained officer would know the difference. I am starting to get a little tired of hearing about the officers' lives being endangered which gives them the excuse to hurt, maime or kill. Not so many officers lose their lives in the line of duty as in other professions. I am hoping that most officers put on that uniform with the intent of helping and protecting us. But some will shoot right through a little baby to get their guy as was done in Denver. Or shoot an unarmed driver to death with passengers in the car. The rogue cops need to be dismissed from the force and their superiors need a sabbatical.

I am sick and tired of people like Jenny and Mike making vague comments with no specific complaints. What do you th ink Gardner did wrong? What woudl you have done as an officer? I just do not see what he did that upsets people so much. It was just so stupid of Massey to walk away after he had been ordered. Good luck trying to sue. And good luck trying to find fault with what the officer did. Again I ask, what would you have wanted the officer to do?

The 'Blue Code' wins again. As for citizens it's my opinion that we are not denied our right to self protection, even from an unrully and offensive officer. The uniform does not give them the right to abuse that uniform or the people they claim to protect and serve. It happens to be their peers they protect and serve. If the officer had just shown the driver, at his initial request, to see the speed recorded the whole issue would not have escalated in to a street brawl that a citizen cannot win. Citizens still have the right to fight an oppressive government and its representatives. Laws protecting police have gotten out of control and abusive to citizens and their rights.

Can you spell whitewash and cover up. Pull your head out of the sand Troopers. You do not tasar someone for this.Shame on the Utah Highway Patrol.

I'm not one to scream for lawsuits but Massey should consider one. This is what gives officers a bad rep.

Why did You-tube get a hold of the video?

Of course they would clear him. Lets hope the right people look at this situation and this so called officer is permanently removed from his job. Maybe there's a nice safe coal mine for him to work in. He obviously has few proper communication skills that can easily be understood and is quick to lie to justify himself to those who would blindly take his side. Then smugly joke about it at the victims expense as well. Just what we need out there extorting the motoring public. Massey should get a 7 figure settlement at Utah's expense but should constantly be looking over his shoulder when on the roads. This same group knows how to retaliate. Massey was told to get out of the car but wasn't clearly told why he should remain at the back of the vehicle. Hope Gardner's ego got the big boost he so desperately needed.

So the police are investigating a policeman eh? How cosy.

Why are you surprised? This is nothing new... UHP always get away with murder (pun intended).

it dose`nt matter cops always get off its policy. the state of utah knew he would get off. its policy don`t you watch cops on fox and see how fake there storeys are this would be A good one for langly he would ridge the video to show the public how wrong massey was and don`t mess with gardner

I think we need to withhold our judgment until the investigation is done. Those who use YouTube as a reliable and unbiased source of info are nuts! What kind of response do you think the public is going to have of this? duh?

An investigation? Not really much of one, or they watched a different video than I did. The trooper should receive more training and is clearly in the wrong.

After reviewing the video, I think that Trooper Gardner was totally justified in using the taser by the way that Mr. Massey was acting. He showed a complete lack of respect for the law and tried to get out a ticket. The problem is, when you act like a loud mouth idiot, then you should be treated as such.

I still hope the trooper files suit against the immature loony driver.

Who do I want to protect me when I'm out in public? Certainly not someone who has a hissy fit just because he got caught speeding (and with a wife and child in the car, no less).

Has anyone determined if this speeder was even old enough to have a driver's license and have control of a vehicle on public highways?

Massey was endangering his wife, unborn child and anyone on that highway with his careless reckless behaviour.

The officer was polite and courteous until Massey started running his mouth trying to play tough-guy.

Besides that, you don't give orders to the UHP..."first, you're going to show me the sign".... the arrogant scofflaw deserved what he got.

The UHP's review of this indicates there is a systemic problem with the UHP. This case needs to be escalated to the state legislature to get laws passed that make tasering like this a criminal offense.

The trooper should use the least amount of force necessary. He could have called for backup and waited before acting. He could have called the office and learned that you don't arrest someone just because they refuse to sign a traffic ticket. There were a multitude of less lethal options available.

Another suggestion. Instead of reviews like this being conducted by the UHP, let's change the policy so that these reviews are conducted by an independent group.