Friday, October 16, 2009

Drive-By Tasering Results in Teen Death

Civil Rights, Excessive Force, Extreme Brutality, Florida Attorney, Florida Lawyer, Police Misconduct, Tampa Attorney, Tasers, Wrongful DeathOn October 3, 2009 Pensacola Police Officer Jerald Ard saw Victor Steen , 17, at a construction site. As Steen began to ride away on his bicycle, Ard pursued him in his police cruiser and ordered him to stop. However, Steen did not stop. Ard attempted to stop Steen by using his Taser, but Steen was able to turn into a bank parking lot. He then crashed his bicycle and was run over by Officer Ard.

Ard has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Thereafter, results of the investigation will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether Ard should face criminal prosecution.

In response to this incident, the Pensacola Police Department decided to update its Taser policy. Assistant Chief Chip Simmons released a memo stating officers are not allowed to fire their Tasers out of or into moving vehicles, which includes bicycles.

If you believe a police officer has improperly used a Taser on you or believe you are the victim of excessive force, contact my office to schedule a consultation so that I may advise you of your rights.


http://www.newsherald.com/news/pensacola 78192 teen death.html