Read viewers' opinions about what happened

"Using all capital letters, or a bunch of extra question marks and exclamation points, is just plain dorky. If you want your opinion to be taken seriously, you should write more professionally."

"It requires split second judgment to ascertain a given situation's potential. To hobble a police officer with "what-if"s and sitting down to figure out a person's mental, medical, or whatever state is to condemn them to death. Reaction is to the immediate threat, to the outward situation, there will time later to sort out someone's motivation."

"When I was hired to work at the mental health inpatient unit at a local hospital, I joined other new employees in a day long class on how to physically handle patients who become violent due to medication, a psychotic episode, or just being emotionally volatile. Whatever the reason, we were taught to first understand what is possibly happening to the patient. Then, we were shown physical maneuvers to use for various situations. May be good idea to do a report on this topic in light of what has happened...

My point? I don't carry mase or a taser when on the unit. At any time I can be attacked by a patient. The tools I've been given is adequate. We take away patient's belongings which are questionable (ie, used to hang self or hurt others, kind of like airport security), but they can use anything to attack with. I've heard too many stories of unarmed people bein killed by police. What is the explanation? What kind of danger did the police think they were in? Doctors, nurses and other staff members in such a situation...should they be permitted to carry arms?

This wasn't the first time this woman went into diabetic shock, and from other reports I heard, she never had a problem when they came to help her before. Why this time? Is this the first time police were involved? I personally will hesitate about calling 911 for police in the future because, in all seriousness, the role of the police has changed and I'm afraid for my life dealing with pseudo "good" guys who will pull out their gun regardless of the situation. Also, they look like the military nowadays with their buzz haircuts. No smile, no verbal communication skills. I'd rather deal with the bad guy because at least I don't have to guess what their motives are. I'd only be frustrated and confused, just like this woman, if I were harmed by police. They are supposed to be the good guys, the ones who help, not hurt. It may seem like a fine line to some, but it's clear to me...more training and higher education requirements is a good start."

"I can not for the life of me see any reason why a policeman would need to tazer a women with a medical problem. I thought bad of Portland police when the shot and killed a naked man that was badly burned, but this really tops it all when you do this to a woman having a medical problem. Does Portland look for cowards to put in police uniforms? I hope Portland and the police bureau have to pay her a lot of money."

"I have a lot of family members on my mothers' and fathers' side that are diabetic, this is just one health problem my ancestors and current generation have suffered with. They have had no diabetic seizures because they make sure they have everything under control to prevent one.  I do know of people that have had seizures and it was because they didn't follow the diet or medical rules that a diabetic must  follow. I know of one lady that had a seizure at almost every weekly diabetic counseling meeting because she refused to follow the rules a diabetic must follow. She became quite violent and they had to call for help and have her taken away. What would have happened if the police officers hadn't been able to control her? I think she would have died, and how sad that would have been."
 
"Our police put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect us. They never know completely what a given situation is going to be when they are called to help. We are now living in a society where we aren't responsible for what we do wrong, it is always someone else's fault. People have  been trained by the lawyers to not take responsibility for anything they do anymore."

"I am a diabetic as well, and keep my blood sugar tightly controlled.  This was not always the case, but I do know that when blood sugar is too high or too low, it is almost impossible to have the presence of mind to be combative.  Some symptoms of diabetic shock are weakness and confusion, so it is difficult to believe this woman struck out more than once.

How in the world can the police be expected to know the medical condition of every person they encounter?  Are we becoming a society where each of us must wear a large sign or "Scarlet Letter" to let people know what we are:  Diabetic, Traumatic Brain Injury, Schizophrenia, etc?"
 
"Perhaps the police do need more training to recognize medical emergencies, but the PUBLIC needs an education in what adrenalin will do to a person who is being attacked."

"I am a diabetic also and have had low blood sugar episodes.  The police were not there nor were they needed.   Only the paramedics came. Even though it may have taken 5 of them to hold me down I came out of it fine once they got me under control and injected me with something to raise my blood sugar.  I guess I am glad I live in Vancouver instead of Portland.  Sounds like the police there are power hungry for control over everyone, even the ill."

"I think that it depends on the case, and only as a last resort.  It is sad to see this woman having to have this thing used on her, but in my opinion, it was the only way that she could get the help that she needed to save her life.  I believe that the police are not to blame for any wrong doing.  It is unfortunate that this happened, but I think that this young woman should be glad that she is still alive.  Had she not been tased, who knows what the outcome would be."

"I am SO sick and tired of hearing people whine and cry. Are the police paid to be punching bags? NO! The fact that she was having a diabetic problem isn’t even relevant. She was assaulting the police and other rescue personnel. She was restrained without injury and received proper medical care. If any one of you liberal cry-babies had 5 seconds or less to make a life-or-death decision under similar circumstances, step into the driver’s seat. Police can’t win. They put their lives on the line every day. They deserve our respect and appreciation."

"I have genuine sympathy for police who are often faced with violent people.  However, this was not a case like a water rescue where the victim can drown the rescuer.  I don’t think the police were at any risk of fatal injury from the diabetic patient.  Police too often resort to violence without making any attempt to calm the person in question.  I have personally witnessed 3 interactions between police and individuals.  None of these cases involved criminal activity.  In each case the person was quiet and posed no hint of a threat to anyone in the area.  In each case, I was surprised at what menacing approaches the police chose to take, in one case even aiming a gun at an individual who had been reported as possibly suicidal, but was unarmed and talking quietly to police.  All of these incidents ended peacefully, but at the time I was stunned to think that the police were apparently prepared to kill someone to prevent him from committing suicide."

"I don’t know what happened here, but newspapers reported that the patient was “surrounded” by police and firemen.  If so, I expect this terrified the woman they were supposed to be helping.  Recall the unfortunate mentally ill man who fearfully ran from police believing (correctly, as it turns out) that they were going to hurt him.  We would all be better served if the authorities took a quieter, more calming approach with people, instead of surrounding them en masse, threatening them, and creating a fearful situation which then escalates to violence." 

"I am amazed that you even took public opinion into consideration. These people weren't there, are not police officers, MOST are not diabetic, and they obviously don't know anything about tasers."
 
"I agree with the person who made the comment about the Coast Guard and Life Guard being given permission to take force to subdue someone. She was out of control! It's sad, but what were the officers suppose to do, just let her beat them up?"
 
"Oregon needs to back off and SUPPORT their police officers. They put themselves in harm's way for the public and all you can do is bicker and moan? What are they suppose to do, put everyone in "time out"? This isn't Kindergarten class, it's LIFE! Ride with them sometime, and maybe you'll change your minds. You just do not get this!
 
"But what is public opinion anyway? ...coming from a state that allows issues to go to public vote, the public votes the issue DOWN, and then does what they want in the congress and senate anyway."

"Good for the police. This lady has a history of not taking care of herself, and calling 911 for help. Responders know this individual by name and have consistently said that she is violent on arrival."

"I'm sick and tired of people criticizing police for the job they do. At this point in our society, we might as well take away all the weaponry given to our law enforcement since every time they use it, they come under fire from arm chair liberals at home. Maybe all the people that criticize should try being an officer for a day and then take a moment to respond. In the life of an officer, even a simple traffic stop can turn deadly, let alone a call to a crazed lady with a history of abusing the 911 system by not taking car of herself!"

"We prosecute our police, border patrol, and servicemen for protecting us, I think if anyone deserves some leeway, it might these men and women."

"When you call 911 you are indicating there is a situation out of your control.  Why are people so alarmed when the responders arrive and try to gain control of the situation you called them about?!  This particular woman has had these episodes before - she, and her friend, should be seeking medical advice on how to LIVE with her disease in an appropriate
and non-threatening manner.  With the highs and lows she seems to experience it is only a matter of time when her body will no longer be able to recuperate from these extremes.  In the meantime, NO ONE should be put in danger because of her cry for help."

 "Let me begin by thanking KATU for putting this story together for everyone watching to see.  From the entries to this blog it is apparent that many many have viewed it and are questioning the situations as they were presented."
 
"As a type 1 diabetic for 30 years now, and a police officer for the past 10 years, I am saddened to see how fast the situation deteriorated.  However, I am also skeptical of throwing insults at either the patient or the police.  Diabetic reactions are very common but effect patients very differently.  I have had, on 3 seperate occasions, low blood sugar reactions that required others to assist.  The first time, it took every fire fighter from a single responding vehicle to restrain me.  The strength I had to fight the responders was amazing.  However, I was able to be restrained long enough for medications to be administered intravenously that rapidly elevated my glucose levels to a point where I could care for myself.  After recovering, I was freightened to know how strong I had been and embarrassed at the same time.  In the end, the low sugar reaction was not due to error on my part but rather due to a bad batch of insulin.  Now how would those of you who say Hess failed to care for herself explain my situation?  Maybe she too had an experience similar to me."
 
"As for the police, I would only like to know why they responded in the first place?  Is it standard for Portland to dispatch law enforcement officers on medical calls?  I know Portland Fire is the official first responder for medical calls followed by AMR or other ambulance services.  Was the officer requested to assist by medics on scene?  I must say that I am concerned with the response of Portland Police over the past few years and wonder if Hess had not responded to the taser, would she have been shot.  If the 911 call was sent and advised on initial calling that Hess was suffering from a diabetic event, then I question why the officer ever got to a point of putting hands on her, or even attempting to.  Again, did medical staff on scene request intervention?" 
 
"In the end, only the responders, Hess, and her roommate were there and actually know exactly what transpired.  I don't believe she is angry about what happened, but rather finds herself questioning how the events unfolded.  Indeed, it is not a bad idea to attempt to train responders better of diabetic reactions and what to look for, what to expect, and how to manage the call.  However, there is simply not enough time or money to train on every medical condition that might raise the need to use force of some kind.  Law Enforcement must look out for the safety and security of not only themselves, but the people in and around calls to which they respond as well.  They must use discretion in how to respond and when to escalate the amount of force used."
 
"The answer is not simple.  We must continue to evaluate these types of situations, the responses, and outcomes and do as the many generations before us have done: Learn from our mistakes, celebrate our successes, and adjust as things change."

"It's acceptable for a pool-life guard or Coast Guard Rescue swimmer to subdue a combative victim, who threatens by action the lives of both people, even to the point of knocking them out.  What is the difference here.  That Taser saved Miss Hess's life, she should be thankful all she received was a couple of probe marks and not something worse."

"Diabetic woman gets tased...

I found your article on the subject to be a bit too simplistic. The story was presented as if you really think that a potential deadly to a policeman is somehow different if the person cause of the person's violent behavior is caused by a medical problem than if it was a person was a meth addict, or a mentally incompetent person.

In each of those situations, the policeman is still thrreatened. It doesn't matter the source of the threat because a a)drug crazed, b)mentally ill, or c)medically sick can kill or injury the officer in the same way as a person who intends to harm the officer because they harbor maliciousness.

Yes, it is too bad that she got tased. But, ultimately it is her fault for not paying attention to her medical condition and control it.

Please put some common sense in your reporting and take the time to ask some tough questions to the people you are interviewing."

"My son and myself are both type 1 diabetics and the story you ran today 3/11/07 about the police tazing the womenwho was having a diabetic low scares me to death! My son has had several severe lows where I have had to call 911 for help. He has been out of control and not knowing what he's doing he will resist any help. We've never had a problem with the police using extra force, but they have arrived for the call to help in case the peramedics can't help my son. I don't know what I would do if the police tried to use this type of force on my son or myself in a situation of a diabetic low. A diabetic has a medical condition that as a complication you can loose control and not even no it. If I was telling the police this was what is wrong with my child and this is how the police handled it I would be so upset!!! Thank you for running this report hopefully this will bring attention to a medical condition that has a side affect that police need to handle very differently."

 "IT IS TIME THE PORTLAND POLICE GET PUT IN CHECK THEY HAVE WENT OVER BOARD WITH THIS DEAL THEY ALREADY THINK THEY ARE GOD BUT WHEN OUR PUBLIC DEFENDERS START HURTING PEOPLE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING WE DIABETICS HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH BETTER AND NEW OFFICERS LIKE WE HAVE HERE IN GRESHAM. THE PORTLAND POLICE HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE ABOVE THE LAW NOW THEY RESPOND TO MED. CALLS AND START KILLING US DIBETICS YES I HAVE BEEN ONE FOR 20YEARS NOW AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS KIND OF ABUSE EXCEPT IN PORTLAND AND THAT IS WHY WE MOVED OUT BUT NOW IT IS TIME TO STANDUP AND LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW THEY NEED TO BE PUNISHED FOR THERE ACTIONS AS WELL AS WE ARE IF WE WOULD DO THIS TO ANOTHER HUMAN THEY THINK THERE BADGE AND GUN GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO HURT AND KILL PEOPLE AT THERE PLEASURE."

"Regarding your top story...about how a diabetic patient was stunned by police... It's so interesting how KATU tries to twist this story into a police brutality case. I would love to see someone from KATU news staff try to subdue a combative diabetic patient. I could only hope they would sustain substantial injuries; maybe that would open their eyes when they report stories like this. Then, maybe you could effectively comment on how the police handled the case. It's obvious that KATU's inept staff think that police have superhuman powers to deal with any situation. Police Officers want to go home at night, just like you do. Don't make them look like criminals when they are just doing their job."

 "I'm so absolutely horrified at the police officer who tasered a woman having an insulin reaction. And then implying that she needs to keep her diabetes under better control.

I have been a diabetic for 41 years and control the best that I can. I check my blood sugar once an hour, but reactions still occur. You cannot control what you do when your blood sugar is dangerously low. When I was a kid I be became violent with my step-dad during a reaction and was horrified at the scratches I left all over him. I also almost bit through my tongue. You absolutely cannot control what you are doing.

Tasering diabetics is not a reasonable answer

I am so dumbfounded that this could happen, I'm sure I will not sleep well tonight"

 "We live in Milwaukie, Oregon. Our police must have had better training. When my son went throught some very hard times. He would have been shot in Portland. But our police used talking and calmly talked him down to the ground. I was so impressed with there skills.But that never got in the news. Thank-you"

 "In regards to a story aired last night about a woman tassered while having a "diabetic reaction", not diabetic shock. If there were paramedics and firefighters on seen, as described, and they were unable to subdue the patient. Then the police officer was justified in restraining her so that she could receive the proper medical treatment.

I am tired of the bias reporting against the police, because all you get is a snap shot of what the family tells you. Of course the police are not going to give you their side until they fully investigate.

I feel that because of the biased and horrible investigating that your news and other news channels are doing; you are making it impossible for the police to do their job. Police officers do not want to harm people they want to make sure everyone is safe. I do understand that everyonce in a while there is a police officer that is not in the job for the right reason, but most of the officers are. Just like any job.

That woman was obviously show aggression towards everyone on seen. Something had to be done, which probably saved her life.

If an officer stated that house is marked. The officer might have meant that if the woman is aggressive that they need to detain and get medical help right away because of the situation that just occured.

I am a nurse that works in an E.R. I can see the big picture. Your news station as well as the other stations do not. I am tired of the biased reporting."

"I am amazed and ashamed of the way channel 2 reported on the diabetic taken down my stun gun by police. There was nothing reported about her actions being out of her control, and police using force on someone who could not follow there commands cause of her condition. This would be like asking a person having an epileptic seizer to stop struggling and follow commands. Would they use a stun gun on them...no....this situation is no different. I have dealt with a diabetic in this situation, and I could hold them down while they got the medical attention they needed, but police could not. This is just another example of the polices power going to there head and thinking they can do what ever they want to people with no consequence. I cant believe the portland area people are not concerned with the recklessness of the police. A person calling for help and getting ready to loose consciousness because of a medical condition gets thrown up against a fireplace and stun gunned three times is absolutely disgusting.The report said she was face down on the ground when they stun gunned her. How was she a threat, she was going into diabetic shock, and the police continue to hurt her. I will make sure I notify the diabetes association, and anyone else I can about this, and the news should be supporting and helping educate the public, not covering up what the police did."

"Though the Taser and other stun weapons are useful alternatives to deadly force, I would think the police department would give officers some guidelines and training in determining whether, just a bad temper or a medical condition was causing bizarre behavior.

Doctors and emergency personnel see these conditions everyday caused by psychotic, emotional or medical illnesses. Even the average school bus driver deals with these situations occasionally without the use of force or stun weapons.

The Taser is not a replacement for good judgement and common sense."

"The police and fire departments are under too much scrutiny. This lady admits assulting the people trying to treat her. These people are out here doing the best job they can under difficult circumstances. This lady and the guy recently in the hotel incident both need to grow up and stop trying to undermine needed saftey measures for our fire and police departments. I am sure that they are both in better condition now than if they had been left alone. I am sure that some pain in the arm is much better than being in a casket."

"I think the police officer and the firefighter should be ashamed...........come on ....a 5 foot 2 in. 140 lb woman.................what kind of men are they???????????????????????????

What kind of training do they get in handling medical situations ??????????? Sounds like "NONE" ! ! ! ! ! !
I've never been trained by police or firefighters, but I have trained in Karate and Judo and with a single hold I can take down a man twice my size without any stun gun or excessive force........why can't the "PROFESSIONALS" do the same thing??????????????????????"

"I don't know why but the Portland Police bureau prefers force over training. Training may be expensive, but the lawsuits brought on by overzealous untrained cops can be more expensive. Also if someone

fears for their loved ones safety when they need help they may not call."

Who is next? A pregnant woman who is in so much pain that she lashes out? When will someone do something to corral these police officers? We hear more about police shooting and tazing people more than any thing else!

It seems like no matter what the situation someone rationalizes it to the police depts. benefit. They should be ashamed. And we thought the Blazers had problems!!"