Portland officers use Tasers on 2 men who had surrendered, costing city almost $140,000

Portland officers use Tasers on 2 men who had surrendered, costing city almost $140,000

As the Portland Police Bureau grapples with how to update its Taser policy, two federal lawsuits stemming from inappropriate Taser use suggest some city police aren't familiar with the current restrictions on their use.

The city settled both lawsuits, paying a total of $138,073 to two men who were Tased by police after they had surrendered. In each incident, the men were on their knees with their hands locked behind, or on their heads when they were tased.

One man's back was to the officer when he was shot with no warning, an arbitrator found based on witness statements, although the officer said she had shot him in the stomach.

Both men were charged with misdemeanors ranging from interfering with police to harassment. Separate juries cleared both of them and some charges were dismissed.


http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/02/portland_officers_who_tasered.html