Post by KC on Apr 18, 2006 19:04:18 GMT -5
February 06, 2006 - A Fort Myers police officer who shocked a man with a Taser shortly before his death four months ago won’t face criminal charges, police officials announced today.
The state attorney’s investigation into Steven M. Cunningham’s death Oct. 13 found no evidence to indicate Officer Scott Townsend acted unlawfully, police spokeswoman Maureen Buice said.
Police officials also said their own internal investigation into the incident concluded the officer’s actions were justified.
An autopsy conducted by the medical examiner’s office ruled Cunningham’s cause of death was cocaine toxicity with excited delirium, a controversial condition often linked to deaths after Taser use.
Townsend shocked Cunningham three to four times in the back with a Taser during the Oct. 13 incident, according to autopsy reports.
Cunningham, 45, collapsed and later died at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center. Manufactured by Taser International, a Taser stun gun has metal darts that carry 50,000 volts of electricity.
Critics of the weapon say it is unsafe. Taser International issued a memo in June, warning that officers should use phsycial force along with the Taser in dealing with someone who may be showing signs of excited delirium, a condition brought about by ingesting high amounts of drugs and alcohol.
In a statement, Fort Myers Police Chief Hilton Daniels said he maintained confidence in department policies and procedures.
“We are empathetic to Mr. Cunningham’s family and their loss," Daniels said in a statement. “Our officers are properly trained for situations similar to this, and I am confident in how this particular situation was handled.”
Townsend was at Ruth Cooper that day to deliver a person who was being admitted on Baker Act charges, according to a Jan. 24 letter from assistant state attorney Dean Plattner to State Attorney Steve Russell. Cunningham consumed large quantities of cocaine, Plattner wrote.
“He had taken his clothes off, and was on the ground at one point forcefully banging his head on rocks, causing obvious injury,” Plattner wrote. “I do not believe the evidence supports criminal charges...and I recommend this matter be closed without further action.”
Russell wrote a letter to Daniels two days later, indicating there was no evidence to suggest Townsend violated the law.
Townsend, 47, an employee of the police department since 1981, was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. He returned Feb. 1, Buice said.
The state attorney’s investigation into Steven M. Cunningham’s death Oct. 13 found no evidence to indicate Officer Scott Townsend acted unlawfully, police spokeswoman Maureen Buice said.
Police officials also said their own internal investigation into the incident concluded the officer’s actions were justified.
An autopsy conducted by the medical examiner’s office ruled Cunningham’s cause of death was cocaine toxicity with excited delirium, a controversial condition often linked to deaths after Taser use.
Townsend shocked Cunningham three to four times in the back with a Taser during the Oct. 13 incident, according to autopsy reports.
Cunningham, 45, collapsed and later died at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center. Manufactured by Taser International, a Taser stun gun has metal darts that carry 50,000 volts of electricity.
Critics of the weapon say it is unsafe. Taser International issued a memo in June, warning that officers should use phsycial force along with the Taser in dealing with someone who may be showing signs of excited delirium, a condition brought about by ingesting high amounts of drugs and alcohol.
In a statement, Fort Myers Police Chief Hilton Daniels said he maintained confidence in department policies and procedures.
“We are empathetic to Mr. Cunningham’s family and their loss," Daniels said in a statement. “Our officers are properly trained for situations similar to this, and I am confident in how this particular situation was handled.”
Townsend was at Ruth Cooper that day to deliver a person who was being admitted on Baker Act charges, according to a Jan. 24 letter from assistant state attorney Dean Plattner to State Attorney Steve Russell. Cunningham consumed large quantities of cocaine, Plattner wrote.
“He had taken his clothes off, and was on the ground at one point forcefully banging his head on rocks, causing obvious injury,” Plattner wrote. “I do not believe the evidence supports criminal charges...and I recommend this matter be closed without further action.”
Russell wrote a letter to Daniels two days later, indicating there was no evidence to suggest Townsend violated the law.
Townsend, 47, an employee of the police department since 1981, was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. He returned Feb. 1, Buice said.