Omaha police chief: 'We failed'; 2 officers to be fired for violating policies in Taser incident

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Alia Conley

Two Omaha police officers will be fired because of their involvement in a fatal encounter Monday morning in which a Taser was used on a mentally ill man, Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Friday.

The chief said he legally couldn't identify the two, but The World-Herald has learned that the officers are Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty.

Payne shocked Zachary Bearheels, 29, with a Taser 12 times, Schmaderer said at an afternoon press conference. McClarty repeatedly punched Bearheels, including when Bearheels was not resisting.

"In this incident, despite our extensive training, we failed," Schmaderer said.

FULL story at link below.



Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/omaha-police-chief-we-failed-officers-to-be-fired-for/article_807f857e-4d52-11e7-8e72-57e11dfe8d2c.html

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I tuned into the press conference late. I believe the victim was drug across the parking lot by his hair also.

OS

[Stuart G]

1. Very sad...thank you for posting...

The fact that the police immediately admitted fault..is admirable.
This wouldn't happen everywhere, as has been noted at DU many times....

[jb5150]

2. Fired ... ok, but

What about being prosecuted?

[Omaha Steve]

3. It's in the works: Douglas County attorney: Death of man tased by Omaha police raises serious conce

By Todd Cooper, Alia Conley 
and Emerson Clarridge / World-Herald staff writers Jun 8, 2017 Updated 3 hrs ago

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said he has “serious concerns” about Omaha police officers’ use of force in the death of a 29-year-old mentally ill man on Monday.

Kleine offered the assessment after top Omaha police commanders briefed him on Wednesday — showing him video and taking him through what they have pieced together of the hourlong encounter that ended with Zachary Bearheels being tased and dying.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said he would hold a press conference, perhaps Friday, to make details public. He declined to comment ahead of the press conference.

Kleine said he would wait until he received Omaha police investigative reports to determine what, if any, charges Omaha police officers may face.

FULL story: http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/douglas-county-attorney-death-of-man-tased-by-omaha-police/article_f56f7f29-cfc8-5a85-a621-1410bb0d8919.html

[Sunlei]

4. electric shocks are deadly, 50k volts is no joke. Its torture, plain and simple. not control.