On Sunday, South Portland police officers responded
to 592 Main Street for a well-being check, after receiving a report of
a child being exposed to possible drug abuse. Officers determined that
a 34-year-old resident was currently out on bail for a previous arrest
(for drug possession, burglary to a motor vehicle and theft).

    The man’s bail conditions included random searches
of his residence. The officers’ search resulted in the seizure of drug
evidence, according to a police statement released by South Portland
Police Lieutenant. Frank Clark. While being placed under arrest, the
man became uncooperative and resistant, according to Clark.

    The officers physically struggled with the man and
also tried using pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him. Unable to
subdue the man, according to Clark, the officers deployed the Taser
electric stun device, quickly causing the man to submit to compliance.

    A 26-year-old-woman who was present during the
incident then slapped or punched one of the officers in the head and
was also arrested after a brief struggle, according to Clark.

Both residents were arrested for several violations related to the search and struggle.

    In May 2005, after an initial testing and evaluation
period that began during 2004, the South Portland Police Department
deployed Tasers with all of its patrol officers. According to Clark,
the units have been effective in minimizing the need for physical
contact between officers and suspects. National statistics cited by
Clark support the belief that Tasers reduce injuries to both officers
and suspects involved in use of force situations. 

    South Portland officers have reported deploying a
Taser eight times during 2006 and three times as of this date in 2007,
most commonly during arrest and other protective custody situations
(e.g., persons threatening suicide or otherwise involved in a mental
health crisis).

    The City of South Portland is named as a defendant
in a case brought by Stephen Parker, who claims Police officers used
excessive force, including the use of a Taser following a traffic stop
in July of 2005. Parker was arrested for operating under the influence
after he was initially stopped for speeding, according to the city’s
attorney, Mary Kahl. Kahl said he was later convicted of OUI, according
to Kahl.

    The use of the Taser was caused by his refusal to
submit to being handcuffed and taken into custody, Kahl said.

    Parker is seeking monetary damages against the city
and the case is in United States District Court where a summary
judgment motion has been filed by the city based upon the video
evidence that the officer acted responsibly.