Homeless Huffer Set On Fire When Tasered
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20090820/NEWS01/908200303
Taser incident provides police with learning experience
LANCASTER -- Use of a Taser gun around flammable materials is restricted by the Lancaster Police Department's standard operating procedures.
Now, the department -- which began using the devices Sunday -- must review the actions of one officer who used a Taser on a man who reportedly had been huffing a flammable material.
Lancaster Chief Dave Bailey said the officers, who were called to an incident of a man inhaling from an aerosol can, were aware the suspect had been inhaling gas.
But, they could not see or smell any signs of highly flammable materials.
"I don't think they were immediately on alert that they may be dealing with flammable material," Bailey said.
Daniel C. Wood, 31, was spraying an aerosol can into his mouth and running through traffic in the Hocking Valley Plaza -- which houses several stores, including Kmart and Kroger on Memorial Drive -- Monday night.
One officer caught Wood and got him on the ground, where Wood continued to resist, according to the police report.
"His resisting included alleged kicks and attempts to bite, and he made gestures with his hand as if he were reaching for a firearm in his waistband," Bailey said Wednesday.
Another officer shouted a warning, then zapped Wood with the Taser.
One of the officers then spotted a flame on his chest, and both officers patted out the flame.
Wood was taken to Fairfield Medical Center for treatment of burns to his chest. He then was taken to the Fairfield County Jail and released at 11:20 p.m. Monday night on his own recognizance.
He faces charges of resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and abusing harmful intoxicants. He was arrested again Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear to his arraignment that morning. He was arraigned on those charges later Tuesday in Fairfield County Municipal Court.
He remained in jail on Wednesday with bonds set at $2,250 and $1,000 recognizance for the recent offenses.
He has not been appointed an attorney court officials said.
Fairfield County court records show a list of more than 50 charges for Wood, beginning in 1996. They range from traffic citations to disorderly conduct by intoxication, receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and another charge of resisting arrest in 1999.
A search for the resisting arrest report from 1999 could not be found Wednesday, and Bailey said he doesn't know how officers might have subdued Wood in the past.
Wood's jail intake form listed him as potentially dangerous, but not at risk for suicide or escape.
Bailey said all Lancaster officers authorized to use the Tasers have undergone training and must follow a written department policy on when the Taser can be used.
A six-page policy lists 13 restrictions for using the devices, one of which deals with flammable materials.
It states the Tasers "shall not be deployed in an atmosphere where flammable fumes are present or on individuals that are known to have come in contact with flammables, including but not limited to: gasoline, natural gas, ether, propane, glue and paint thinner." Lancaster Police Capt. Adam Pillar said huffing dangerous materials is not uncommon in Lancaster.
"It's usually kids that don't have access to any other type of drug," Pillar said.
"Or, usually, it's the homeless who can't afford any other type of drug."
Bailey expects a use-of-force review to be completed in the coming weeks. He said he is pleased with the Taser training the officers received and doesn't expect more training for any officers involved . He also sees the incident as a lesson for the department.
"It's our very first Taser usage, so it's going to be a learning experience for all of us," Bailey said.
). I suspect there is more to it than meets the eye.
