Post by WaTcHeR on May 23, 2006 9:16:56 GMT -5
05/23/2006 - A Boca Raton police officer that allegedly pointed the red laser beam of a Taser at the forehead of a 16-year-old boy has been suspended for three days, according to an internal affairs investigation.
The document, released last week, says the investigation determined that Officer Robert Ingram violated the department's Taser policy by pointing the electronic device at the head of the aggressive and allegedly intoxicated teen in the police station's booking room.
Department policy instructs officers to aim Tasers at a suspect's torso and avoid hitting the head, face, neck, groin or breasts.
The probe concluded that Ingram engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer and received the suspension as a result.
Ingram, 33, said in the report that he pointed the laser beam to intimidate the teen so another officer could handcuff him.
"The Taser's laser beam should never have been in such a close proximity to (his) eyes, and if the Taser unintentionally discharged, the injuries to (him) could have been quite severe," said Capt. Tom Ceccarelli, who wrote in his report.
The teenager, described as being 6-feet-tall and 230 pounds, was arrested on Feb. 19 and charged with assault on a police officer, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest with violence after he allegedly caused a disturbance at his home, police said.
Surveillance video from the police station does not show the teen acting irrationally, the investigation report says. But the teen was not always visible, it said.
In his report, Ceccarelli recommended that all officers receive further training on the proper use of Tasers.
The document, released last week, says the investigation determined that Officer Robert Ingram violated the department's Taser policy by pointing the electronic device at the head of the aggressive and allegedly intoxicated teen in the police station's booking room.
Department policy instructs officers to aim Tasers at a suspect's torso and avoid hitting the head, face, neck, groin or breasts.
The probe concluded that Ingram engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer and received the suspension as a result.
Ingram, 33, said in the report that he pointed the laser beam to intimidate the teen so another officer could handcuff him.
"The Taser's laser beam should never have been in such a close proximity to (his) eyes, and if the Taser unintentionally discharged, the injuries to (him) could have been quite severe," said Capt. Tom Ceccarelli, who wrote in his report.
The teenager, described as being 6-feet-tall and 230 pounds, was arrested on Feb. 19 and charged with assault on a police officer, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest with violence after he allegedly caused a disturbance at his home, police said.
Surveillance video from the police station does not show the teen acting irrationally, the investigation report says. But the teen was not always visible, it said.
In his report, Ceccarelli recommended that all officers receive further training on the proper use of Tasers.