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Washington police say proper procedures used in Taser incident
Ronald Petruney, 49, of 1090 Jefferson Ave., remains in Washington Hospital today, and his condition was not immediately known, city police said at a news conference this morning.
An officer, whose name was not released, was patrolling Jefferson Avenue when he encountered Petruney on the ground near his apartment about 1:05 p.m., suffering from what appeared to be a seizure..
Petruney then stood up, disoriented, and attempted to walk into traffic, police Lt. Daniel Stanek said at the news conference.
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Another officer, who also was not identified, arrived on the scene. Petruney was first shot in the legs with two discharged Taser wires. The second officer then applied his Taser directly to Petruney’s torso, Stanek said.
At that point Petruney lost his pulse and was revived by paramedics.
Stanek said the officers followed department procedures in using Tasers. He said city police have had problems in the past with Petruney, who has known mental health issues. He also has bitten a police officer before, Stanek said.
Police are preparing to charge him with aggravated assault and resisting arrest upon his release from the hospital.
Police Capt. Bob Wilson said the hospital refused to release Petruney’s condition when he inquired about it today.
Who cares... : 11/19/2009
Maybe next time he'll think before he bites!!!
Has to Be A Better Way : 11/19/2009
If hospital employees starting tasering every patient who exhibited seizure, disorientation, etc, we would be out of business. Why is this person not in a mental health facility or program? It is obvious he is in need of help.
taser : 11/19/2009
You guys better watch. Mayor Spossey will pass a ordinance to where which you'll have to pay a fee each time a taser is used. Just another great idea for our Mayor to bring in $$$ to the city.
What's the answer? : 11/19/2009
He won't think before he bites because he's crazy. And he's not in a mental facility because no one wants to pay for one.
Call you State Representative! : 11/19/2009
The state has closed virtually closed all the residential treatment facilities for adults. They are now trying to close half of the residential treatment facilities for children. So you will soon find mentally ill children in the community and schools along with everyone else. Thanks to your state representative!
TAZE THEM ALL : 11/19/2009
Maybe they should have just let him walk out in the traffic. Why is it that everytime an officer uses a tazer gun thyey are questioned? If he did not obey the cop he got what he deserved!
It's not like they killed him! : 11/19/2009
It's a taser. It's a nonlethal means to subdue CRIMINALS. He assaulted an officer. He's lucky he's still alive. Mentally ill or not, he could have hurt or killed the officer.
Wake-UP : 11/19/2009
The gentleman that was tasered had an epileptic seizure which has nothing to do with mental wellness. Maybe you need to spend sometime educating yourself on mental issues and don't be so quick to judge since you don't even know half the story.
Was it necessary? : 11/19/2009
These officers knew this guy and knew he was nutty and knew he just had a seizure. Being trained in using tasers they knew the risks in using them on someone who has health issues. It is obvious these guys didn't care if the citizen died. You mean two cops couldn't control him without the tasers? Was that really the only way. I think Washington cops are taser happy especially after since the tasered the sleeping taxi cab guy in front of the barracks. I am sure an OR search will pull that story.
better way : 11/19/2009
I don't know of anybody ever wearing a tag around their neck stating "I'm mentally ill, don't taser me" I guess the policeman should have been wearing a sign that says "don't bite me" Your logic makes no sense. He was out in public, he must then obey the rules. Yes he should have been in a facility. That is up to doctors and mental health workers. There seems to be more & more mental health homes in the City now when most of the residents of these places should be in a mental hospital. The police didn't use the taser because of the seizure. The used it because he was biting the crap out of one of their officers.
Reply: Has to be a better way : 11/19/2009
I am sure that you would just stand or lay there while a person that is charging you and has a history of problems including biting. What do you expect this officer to do. His job is to serve and protect. Maybe you should provide the police dept. with your # so they can contact you for advise in how to handle this person. I am sure that Taser did less damage than a 9mm. The purpose of a taser is to help an officer gain control of an uncontrollable person. If this officer would have let him run into traffic and this man would have been killed by a driver. Then the driver would have sued the police dept for not gaining controll of this indivdual. It is people like you tthat has made this country less safe!
who cares... : 11/19/2009
We all better start to care about what the police do before we're all victims or someone we love who is mentally ill, or post ictal from a seizure. Our police our obviously not trained well enough in anger management, and how to properly restrain someone. If I dd this to someone, as I am a RN, every time someone has been combative with me I wouldn't have a job, a nursing license, and be facing criminal charges of assault. Charge Mr. Petruney with aggravated assault upon his release what a joke, the police involved are the one's who need to be charged!!! First fact "Mentally Ill" Second fact "Seizure" people often become aggressive and violent after a seizure, and they have no idea what they are doing! The city of Washington needs a citizen review board to police the police. Wake up before it's too late and this happens to you or someone in your family.
Taser away : 11/19/2009
Good for the police!
Tasering a sick person? : 11/19/2009
Tasers are inhumane and unnecessary at best, these policemen are criminals and should be prosecuted. Power hungry low-class idiots like this are why we moved away. Shame shame shame! I hope this person gets a big-money big-city lawyer and sues the department into oblivion, even that is too generous for what supporters of this travesty deserve.
hey tasers have a place : 11/19/2009
Its nice thast you are so quick to judge. Paerhaps the Officers should have allowwed him to continue biting them, and maybe even handed him their pistols. You really need to stop judging until you have been in a fight for YOUR life. Do YOUR job and stop worrying about ours.
Proper Procedure : 11/19/2009
The police used proper force on a subject who was resisting their commands. This man was walking into traffic and exhibiting aggressive behavior toward police. Mentally ill people have just as much or a greater chance of injuring an officer attempting to control his out of control behavior. Be safe brother officers.
Better Way : 11/19/2009
Maybe if the hospital employees did their jobs, this guy wouldn't have been on the streets biting and fighting with police officers. Washington Hospital curbs the mentally ill all the time. Just saw on TV that he has like 18 arrests! The taser kept these officers safe from further injury to all involved.
has to be a better way : 11/19/2009
he charged at a cop enough said Taser or a hollow point The cops were right once again
Better way : 11/20/2009
In a professional setting the patient would be given a sedative what do you suggest a policeman do carry drugs on them?
police acted properly : 11/20/2009
The police stop to assist a man in medical distress. Apparently he then comes out of a seizure and attacks the officer trying to assist him. Mental illness or not the taser was properly applied in this situation. First the police at that time are unaware that this man has a mental illness. Second they have a right to defend themselves. No one should second guess these officers for acting in a split second.
Who cares : 11/20/2009
18 run ins with the police, not 18 arrests, please learn to read! Most of the run ins were due to his seizures in public places. Thank the good old state of Pennsylvania for closing the mental hospitals and integrating these individuals into society. Also for the person who commented about sedative use in the hospita.....the pt. first has to be restrained before we administer a sedative. We don't use sedative loaded dart guns like those used on animals. I am glad the police are safe, and they can go home to their family, but what about when I'm bit, or hit, or spit on by a combative pt.? Should I, as a RN be allowed to taser in the name of safety to myself? It is the police's job to Serve & Protect everyone including the mentally ill.
RE: Who cares. : 11/22/2009
You are a nurse. Thats why you are unable to see what goes on outside of the hospital doors. You have people all around you to keep you safe. Go work on the streets with the fire department,city police or EMS. Times you are alone and could be killed and this man would of ended up doing that to someone who has a family. Do I feel bad for him no I dont. Washington City Police has all my respect.
Lack of information : 11/25/2009
I think cops should know more about seizures and how to handle a seizure or to recognize a seizure
