The notoriety of the taser may also have an unexpected positive effect. When people see the taser come out, they may become compliant before it's necessary to deploy it.
I don't think Mr. Kennedy and I are in disagreement about where this taser should be used. Part of it has to do with the definition of less than lethal force. If you're going to use your baton, you can break bones and do all kinds of nasty things to people. The taser may be preferable in those circumstance. We're not going to judge this that finely.
Officers have to make common-sense judgments about what to do to control the situation. If it requires assertive, hard behaviour such as a baton or a taser affords, I'm not going to be so judgmental as to tell them they should have pulled their baton first and then gone for the taser. I'm sorry, that's micromanaging. It's split second stuff, and we have to let our police officers do their job.