Lansing cop suspended for Tasering cuffed man (w/video)

[Bozita]

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20091113/NEWS01/911130329/Lansing-cop-suspended-for-Tasering-cuffed-man-(w/video)?GID=eQSSJqv1mwCb+Qoo9ay2fKRM8NBNkttAtUg3VvOTYIc%3D

Lansing cop suspended for Tasering cuffed man (w/video)
Taser shot captured on cruiser camera
BARBARA WIELAND • [e-mail] • NOVEMBER 13, 2009
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A Lansing police officer who Tasered a handcuffed man was suspended for two weeks without pay for violating department policies and procedures, officials said Thursday.

According to documents released from the Lansing Police Department, the victim suffered injuries to his face, including a broken jaw, a chipped tooth and eight stitches to his chin.

No charges have been filed against officer Ryan Smith, a two year veteran of the South Precinct. The union that represents him will protest the suspension.

WATCH POLICE VIDEO TASER INCIDENT (WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)

Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley said the incident that led to the suspension occurred about 1 a.m. Aug. 16 in the 2400 block of North Wadsworth in Lansing after police responded to a call of a dispute between Rocky Allred, 43, of Lansing and a former girlfriend.

Alley said there was a scuffle between Allred and Smith prior to an arrest being made, and that Allred head-butted Smith while the officer tried to handcuff him. Smith attempted to use his Taser on Allred, but the weapon did not fire and Smith dropped the weapon.

Two other officers were able to subdue and handcuff Allred while Smith picked up and reloaded his Taser. Smith then used his Taser on the cuffed Allred, causing Allred to fall to the ground.

Charges Dismissed

Allred was charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, being loud and boisterous and breaking and entering with no forced entry. Those charges were later dismissed.

After an investigation by Michigan State Police, the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the incident and determined there was no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the officer.

The LPD's Internal Affairs Unit investigated the incident and found that Smith "acted outside the (department's) policies and procedures."

The two-week suspension is the maximum penalty, aside from dismissal, that may be issued to an officer, according to department policy.

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[la_chupa]

1. I really think those things are a bad idea

I get that the idea is to give the police something that isn't supposed to be deadly force, but it seems like some of these guys are taz happy. As for not being deadly force, that doesn't always seem to be the case.

Basically in this case the cop lost his temper. This not only allowed a criminal to go free - thanks for THAT but landed him on suspension.

I'm not so sure he shouldn't face assault charges for what he did.

[fascisthunter]

2. seems like too many cops can't handle authority

or the power they have.

Ban the fucking tazers NOW!

I bet this guy was a bully growing up and abusive to pets.

[MidwestTransplant]

3. So charges were dismissed against Allred but the cop is not guilty of wrong doing?

It's ok to tase an innocent person in handcuffs?

[keith the dem]

4. Why do all these cops look like professional wrestlers?

Do they really all have time to spend 2 hours in the gym every day...or is there something else?
Do cops have regular testing for drugs? Something is not right.