UPDATE: Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley released a statement on Wednesday evening saying:
"Tasing an 11-year old who posed no danger to the police is wrong. I'm sorry for the harm to her and her family. This evening I called and asked Prosecutor Deters to drop charges against the girl. I'm happy to report he did and I thank him for doing so."
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ORIGINAL STORY:
A Cincinnati Police Officer has been pulled from the streets as the city investigates the tasing of a child. Chief Eliot Isaac says he is extremely concerned about the incident that occurred at a Kroger store. The officer was working an off-duty detail when he noticed an 11 year old girl stealing items from the store. She was tased when she refused to stop.
The President of the Cincinnati Police Union says he stands by the officer. Dan Hils says the officer followed proper procedure which allows for use of a taser on children who resist arrest. Hils told our Scott Sloan on Newsradio 700WLW that use of a taser is preferred over a physical confrontation that could have left the child seriously injured.
Cincinnati Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman would like to see the city change the policy about the use of force on kids and says he will propose raising the minimum age.
You can read the media release from Cincinnati Police on the case below:
MEDIA RELEASE
August 7, 2018
Review of Tasing of Juvenile Suspect
Cincinnati, OH - On August 6, 2018, a Cincinnati Police Officer working an outside employment detail at a local grocery store was investigating several female juveniles allegedly stealing items from the store. When the Officer approached one of the juveniles she ignored the Officer and continued to walk away, ignoring several commands to stop. The Officer deployed his Taser striking the eleven year old in the back. The juvenile was subsequently placed into custody and charged with Theft and Obstructing Official business. After being evaluated at Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the juvenile was released to a parent’s custody and will appear in Hamilton County Juvenile Court at a date in the near future. Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac stated, “We are extremely concerned when force is used by one of our officers on a child of this age. As a result we will be taking a very thorough review of our policies as it relates to using force on juveniles as well as the propriety of the officers actions.” The Officer involved has been placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the investigation.