'The good ones never had to draw a gun' I suppose we in the UK have to remember that enormous numbers of the population in the US carry guns, so everyone is in a state of tension all the time, including the Police.
Here, the ordinary Police officers don't have a gun to draw, and while many baddies in the big cities may (illegally) carry knives, guns are to my mind quite rare. I've only seen armed Police here in airports, as a terrorist deterrent I suppose, carrying big 'automatic rifles' (I think that's what they are!).
I'm not sure how often Tazers are carried or used by the officers, but I do know they have to write a report every time one is used, and justify its deployment.
I feel heartbroken for that poor deaf chap's family. Terrible waste of a life.