Burlington chief: Officers justified in using Taser on man

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BURLINGTON, Wis. (AP) — Burlington’s police chief says officers acted within department policy when they used a stun gun on a man who was rushing to be with his fiancee who he said was in premature labor.

The incident happened earlier this month when Desmen Pete illegally drove his minibike on the sidewalk as he hurried home to his pregnant fiancee.

“She was in premature labor,” said Pete. “I was trying to get home to be there for my son to be born.”

Body camera video shows an officer with his Taser drawn, talking with Pete. The officer ordered Pete to get on his stomach. Pete began yelling at officers and the situation escalated before the Taser was deployed, WITI-TV reported.

“I told him I didn’t have time to talk to him at that time,” said Pete. “He could have came back later or something else. It could have been handled some other way.”

Chief Mark Anderson said Thursday the officers provided Pete with several opportunities to comply with their orders, but he chose not to, which escalated the incident.

Pete is accused of resisting arrest. He says both he and the officers could have reacted differently.

Police said Pete’s fiancée was offered medical services on scene, but she declined and a family member took her to the hospital.