The use of Tasers to apprehend uncooperative suspects appears to be more routine, after two recent incidents with Independence Township sheriff’s deputies.
An April 29 incident involved a 35-year-old man who refused to cooperate with deputies when they responded to a domestic assault call on Princeton Avenue East.
According to reports, the man threw a bottle at his 17-year-old son and damaged furniture in the home after his wife hid his car keys because he had been drinking. When the man’s wife called 9-1-1, the man allegedly threatened to stab responding deputies.
When deputies arrived, the man refused to obey orders to come out of the home, instead standing in a doorway. While one deputy talked to the suspect, another was able to get within range and fire the Taser, which sends out electric probes to deliver a mild but disabling shock.
Because one of the probes hit the man in the groin, he was taken to the North Oakland Medical Center for examination, but was later released for transport to jail.
In a May 1 incident, a 41-year-old Clarkston man was at his girlfriend’s home on Mary Sue Avenue despite having an active personal protection order, reports said.
When deputies attempted to take the man into custody, he attempted to run away and grabbed a deputy’s arm when detained. Two deputies discharged their Tasers, but the suspect walked several feet before falling.
After he was taken into custody, the suspect complained of ‘cardiac pain? and was taken for medical evaluation, reports said.
Lt. Dale LaBair, commander of the Independence Township sheriff substation, said all deputies have had Tasers as standard equipment for some time. While the local deputies have not needed them on a frequent basis, he said they are used ‘weekly? department-wide.
‘It’s a safer alternative then getting into a physical struggle or being beaten up with a nightstick,? he said.