LAKEPORT — For the first time since Tasers became standard issue for all personnel in the Lakeport Police Department, officers have deployed Tasers at a suspect.
The incident took place on July 4, according to Chief Kevin Burke.
On Tuesday, officers witnessed a man exposing himself at 6:18 p.m. by one of the piers at Library Park, Burke said.
The officers ordered the man to stop but he didn”t, Burke said.
As the officers approached the suspect he resisted arrest and a physical altercation ensued, said Burke.
Sgt. Brad Rasmussen then activated the Taser and deployed the probes, which struck the man.
Tasers work by firing two probes from as far away as 25 feet; when the probes make contact with the body or clothing, wires transmit 50,000 volts of electricity for five seconds.
The suspect, 39-year-old Justin Lazard of Desert Hot Springs, was taken into custody without any injury to the officers and arrested on charges of indecent exposure and resisting arrest.
Suspects” possible use of methamphetamine has been a concern when using Tasers, but that hasn”t yet been determined a factor in this case, said Burke. “We don”t have any proof of that, but we are not ruling it out.”
All of Lakeport Police”s sworn personnel underwent certified Taser training last June.
In March, the City Council approved a $12,000 allocation in the budget for the department to purchase a dozen Tasers.
Law enforcement agencies such as Lakeport Police use Tasers because, as Burke has stated previously, it offers officers a nonlethal option for taking combative subjects into custody without harm to the officers.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
