Police use Taser to subdue man (Printed May 11, 2007)
On Sunday, South Portland police officers responded
to 592 Main Street for a well-being check, after receiving a report of
a child being exposed to possible drug abuse. Officers determined that
a 34-year-old resident was currently out on bail for a previous arrest
(for drug possession, burglary to a motor vehicle and theft).
The man’s bail conditions included random searches of his residence. The officers’ search resulted in the seizure of drug evidence, according to a police statement released by South Portland Police Lieutenant. Frank Clark. While being placed under arrest, the man became uncooperative and resistant, according to Clark.
The officers physically struggled with the man and also tried using pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him. Unable to subdue the man, according to Clark, the officers deployed the Taser electric stun device, quickly causing the man to submit to compliance.
A 26-year-old-woman who was present during the incident then slapped or punched one of the officers in the head and was also arrested after a brief struggle, according to Clark.
Both residents were arrested for several violations related to the search and struggle.
In May 2005, after an initial testing and evaluation period that began during 2004, the South Portland Police Department deployed Tasers with all of its patrol officers. According to Clark, the units have been effective in minimizing the need for physical contact between officers and suspects. National statistics cited by Clark support the belief that Tasers reduce injuries to both officers and suspects involved in use of force situations.
South Portland officers have reported deploying a Taser eight times during 2006 and three times as of this date in 2007, most commonly during arrest and other protective custody situations (e.g., persons threatening suicide or otherwise involved in a mental health crisis).
The City of South Portland is named as a defendant in a case brought by Stephen Parker, who claims Police officers used excessive force, including the use of a Taser following a traffic stop in July of 2005. Parker was arrested for operating under the influence after he was initially stopped for speeding, according to the city’s attorney, Mary Kahl. Kahl said he was later convicted of OUI, according to Kahl.
The use of the Taser was caused by his refusal to submit to being handcuffed and taken into custody, Kahl said.
Parker is seeking monetary damages against the city and the case is in United States District Court where a summary judgment motion has been filed by the city based upon the video evidence that the officer acted responsibly.
The man’s bail conditions included random searches of his residence. The officers’ search resulted in the seizure of drug evidence, according to a police statement released by South Portland Police Lieutenant. Frank Clark. While being placed under arrest, the man became uncooperative and resistant, according to Clark.
The officers physically struggled with the man and also tried using pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him. Unable to subdue the man, according to Clark, the officers deployed the Taser electric stun device, quickly causing the man to submit to compliance.
A 26-year-old-woman who was present during the incident then slapped or punched one of the officers in the head and was also arrested after a brief struggle, according to Clark.
Both residents were arrested for several violations related to the search and struggle.
In May 2005, after an initial testing and evaluation period that began during 2004, the South Portland Police Department deployed Tasers with all of its patrol officers. According to Clark, the units have been effective in minimizing the need for physical contact between officers and suspects. National statistics cited by Clark support the belief that Tasers reduce injuries to both officers and suspects involved in use of force situations.
South Portland officers have reported deploying a Taser eight times during 2006 and three times as of this date in 2007, most commonly during arrest and other protective custody situations (e.g., persons threatening suicide or otherwise involved in a mental health crisis).
The City of South Portland is named as a defendant in a case brought by Stephen Parker, who claims Police officers used excessive force, including the use of a Taser following a traffic stop in July of 2005. Parker was arrested for operating under the influence after he was initially stopped for speeding, according to the city’s attorney, Mary Kahl. Kahl said he was later convicted of OUI, according to Kahl.
The use of the Taser was caused by his refusal to submit to being handcuffed and taken into custody, Kahl said.
Parker is seeking monetary damages against the city and the case is in United States District Court where a summary judgment motion has been filed by the city based upon the video evidence that the officer acted responsibly.
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