Admitting to improper use of a Taser in two seperate arrest the Columbia Police Department may be in hot. The City Council received two reports prepared by Interim Police Chief Tom Dresner at the request of Columbia's Mayor Darwin Hindman and was presented to City Council. 

The first incident of improper taser usage was covered in a report in September of 2008 and involves a 14-year-old accused of shoplifting. The 14-year-old was attempting to run from the scene when an officer shot the youth with his taser. Because the teen involved is a juvenille the report remains closed, stated Dresner.

Another improper use of a taser incident occured in December of 2008 when a suspect ran from officers after being caught urinating on a tree. The man was charged with urinating in public and resisting arrest. The officer involved in that incident was disciplined and has since left the department. The Officer left the department not because of the incident but to take another job. Chief Tom Dresner could not disclose the names of the officers or in which way they were reprimanded related to the incident, stating the city ordinance protecting officer's privacy. "Punishments for improper use of a Taser can range anywhere from a written reprimand to termination" stated Dresner.

As a result of the improper use of tasers by the officers in these two incidents, law enforcement has clarified it's taser policy by prohibiting the weapons use on suspects of less-serious crimes. Crimes that do not involve physical violence or pose an immediate threat to the officer of public. Police Chief Tom Dresner stated he was satisfied with the departments newley refined taser guideleines.

"The guidelines are sufficient for now," stated Dresner. "We'll always keep it under review and evaluate them for the changing needs of our community." 

SOURCE: Columbia Missourian