Carrie Petersen Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 10:00 pm
For the first time, Albany police displayed a Taser to keep a suspect in compliance with officers' orders early this morning.
Four members of the Albany Police Department are trained and authorized to carry Tasers. Others at the department will begin training in December.
"You're going to start seeing them," said Police Capt. Jeff Hinrichs. "We're going to start utilizing them."
A Taser is a hand-held weapon that delivers a jolt of electricity through wires.
The department is hopeful that the display of Tasers will encourage compliance and reduce injuries to suspects and officers.
Police responded to a domestic disturbance about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on the 100 block of Onyx Street N.E. A man allegedly knocked over a computer, and punched and choked his girlfriend, according to a police report.
The man left the residence in another person's mini-van and drove to the Linn County Jail, where he turned himself in on a warrant for contempt of court, according to the report.
Police came to the jail and charged Shawn Shore, 33, of Albany with fourth-degree assault, strangulation and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Shore was released from the jail with the condition that he not have contact with his girlfriend or visit the residence.
The girlfriend left and returned about 4 a.m. this morning to the residence, where she found Shore.
Police responded to the residence again. Because of concerns over Shore's allegedly recent violent behavior, an officer pointed a Taser at Shore while Shore was arrested.
He was told that if he used any violent action, the officer would use the Taser on him, according to the report.
Shore offered no resistance. He was charged with violating a release agreement and taken to the jail.