StarBulletin.com

2 police officers' authority suspended after Taser use


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POSTED: Thursday, October 16, 2008

Two police officers have had their law enforcement authority suspended while an internal investigation is under way over their use of Taser stun guns on two men last month.

The officers are still working at the Honolulu Police Department until further notice, said police Maj. Alan Bluemke.

The officers' police powers were removed the day after the Sept. 10 incident. Police said it is the first such action in relation to the new camera-equipped Tasers, which the department put to use in February.

Early on the morning of Sept. 10, police received a call of a disturbance at Uhiuala Street in Makakilo.

When police arrived, one man, 19, was running naked in the street, according to police.

Police said that both he and another man, 20, lunged at officers.

The two officers used their Tasers on the suspects. The younger man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct, while the 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of harassment.

Bluemke said it is standard for an internal investigation to occur after a Taser is used.

However, police Chief Boisse Correa used his discretion to suspend police authority for the officers “;in relation to this particular case,”; Bluemke said. He declined further comment on the case pending the investigation.