San Diego
San Diego police used a Taser gun to subdue a 33-year-old man Wednesday morning after he threatened his father with a bayonet, police spokesman Bill Robinson said.
This is the first time a Taser gun has been used since Police Chief Bob Burgreen announced a new policy in December that calls for use of Tasers and other alternative weapons to reduce deadly force.
Robinson said Edwin McEwen and his father had been arguing when McEwen, who appeared to be mentally disturbed, produced the weapon, prompting his father to call police.
When officers arrived at the home in the 2000 block of Mendocino Boulevard in Ocean Beach, they found McEwen with the bayonet, Robinson said.
Sgt. Tony Smith fired the Taser twice, missing McEwen the first time. Smith struck McEwen the second time, disabling him long enough for officers to subdue him, Robinson said. McEwen was taken to the county mental health facility.
The Taser gun, which looks much like a flashlight, shoots two barbs that attach to a suspect’s clothing. Wires attached to the barbs send an electric charge through the suspect’s body. The shock is enough to disable a person for a few minutes without causing injury, police said.
Burgreen announced the new policy Dec. 21. It calls for the increased use of stun guns, rubber bullets, police dogs and Mace, as well more physical training.
The change came after the Police Department broke its record for police shootings since 1985. Officers shot 28 people last year, 12 of them fatally.
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