The trigger happy cop who used a stun gun to incapacitate a man cradling an infant in his arms, has been suspended for 30 days without pay, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Westland Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik said on Wednesday that the use of force was “a questionable decision” considering that the man on the receiving end of the stun gun’s force was holding a two-month-old baby.
An officer, who has yet to be named, confronted Ray Brown who was reportedly “drunk” and advancing in an aggressive manner. The father was stunned with several volts of electricity while holding his baby because he allegedly was being uncooperative when police approached.
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Disturbing Video
A disturbing video of the man being tased circulated widely on social media and the Westland Michigan community expressed outrage. The police department was heavily criticized and went on the defense with many calling the reckless arrest tactic into question.
Moving forward, Jedrusik said the department will examines its policies on its use of force on suspects.
“Maintaining the trust of our community is our top priority,” Jedrusik said.
Jedrusik said Brown was combative when he learned he was being arrested. He held his baby tightly in his arms—so tight officers believed he would hurt the infant, Jedrusik said. In a video, Brown can be seen, holding the baby while officers order him to give the baby to the mother. Police said that Brown refused, which caused them to react.
Brown was stunned with the taser while holding the child, but the mother, Nichole Skidmore was close enough to grab the baby as the infant fell from the father’s arms. Thankfully, the baby wasn’t hurt.
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A Witness
Kelvin Williams recorded the video but said he didn’t expect all the attention.
“I wasn’t expecting it to get this big,” he said.
According to Williams, he and Brown were enjoying the evening, barbecuing with friends and the kids, listening to music when the Westland police came by saying someone reported a fight at the house. Williams said the police used the stun gun on Brown, handcuffed him and then “beat his ass.”
“Someone needs to do something about this,” Williams said in the post showing the video. “I tried to grab the baby [but] the cops pushed me out the way. I’m so pissed right now.”
The National Action Network, is planning a protest outside the Westland police station on Friday at noon.