EUGENE, Ore -- Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and the Eugene Police Department both have their opinions on how Tasers should be used.

"My position has always been that I want them used very sparingly and in cases where you are making the choice to use that in lieu of using a lethal method," said Piercy.

"We think that Tasers should be used when the circumstances are appropriate for their use," said Capt. Steve Swenson.

Most recently, Eugene police fired a Taser at a University of Oregon student from China. The man did not speak English well. Police have not released the exact details of what lead up to the taser being fired, but it is creating quite a stir in the community.

KVAL News asked Piercy if police are using Tasers properly.

"That's a big question and and I do have some concerns that they are being used too frequently and where other procedures could be used first," said Piercy.

We then asked Swenson how he feels about the mayor's differing views.

"The mayor is the mayor," said Swenson. "She has the right to her opinion. And, again, she does reflect certain viewpoints within the community."

But the community tension over Tasers, said Swenson, might not be as severe as they seem.

"We are experiencing what many agencies experienced when they introduced Tasers," said Swenson.

Both Piercy and police agree, the most recent Taser incident should be used to improve the department's Taser policy and improve public safety.