Teen Claims Officer Paid Him $5 To Test Taser Gun
Police Department Launching Investigation
POSTED: 8:20 pm EDT October 25, 2002
UPDATED: 8:58 pm EDT October 25, 2002
BROOKLYN, Ind. -- A Morgan County teen claims a police officer paid him $5 to get shocked with a Taser gun.
The guns are a new weapon the Brooklyn Police Department has recently acquired, RTV6's Sy Jenkins reported.The incident allegedly happened Oct. 18 at the police department.Ryan Henden (pictured, right), 16, said he has a scar on his stomach that is still visible from the taser shock.
"He offered me $5 if I'd let him shock me with it. At first I was like, 'No, that will hurt.' And then I was like, 'Yeah, I'll do it.'" He was like, 'Are you sure?' I said, 'Yeah, do it.' And then he did it," Hindon said.Mike Morgan said he saw the burns right after Hendon was shocked, and took pictures of his stomach. He said police are using kids for target practice."Some of the other kids were saying that the officer would put a $100 bill at their feet, and if they could reach down and pick it up before he hit him with that, they could have it," Morgan said. "I don't know what's going on in Brooklyn."The police chief is the only full-time officer on the force, along with three reserve officers. He claimed that he didn't know anything about the incident until RTV6 brought it to his attention.
Hendon said his bruises are starting to heal and that he now regrets his decision to act as a $5 guinea pig."No, I don't think so (that it was worth it). Maybe for 10 (dollars)," Hendon said.Hendon and his family said they didn't complain to authorities because they didn't want to cause any problems, Jenkins reported.The police chief declined an interview, but said he was launching an investigation.
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"He offered me $5 if I'd let him shock me with it. At first I was like, 'No, that will hurt.' And then I was like, 'Yeah, I'll do it.'" He was like, 'Are you sure?' I said, 'Yeah, do it.' And then he did it," Hindon said.Mike Morgan said he saw the burns right after Hendon was shocked, and took pictures of his stomach. He said police are using kids for target practice."Some of the other kids were saying that the officer would put a $100 bill at their feet, and if they could reach down and pick it up before he hit him with that, they could have it," Morgan said. "I don't know what's going on in Brooklyn."The police chief is the only full-time officer on the force, along with three reserve officers. He claimed that he didn't know anything about the incident until RTV6 brought it to his attention.Hendon said his bruises are starting to heal and that he now regrets his decision to act as a $5 guinea pig."No, I don't think so (that it was worth it). Maybe for 10 (dollars)," Hendon said.Hendon and his family said they didn't complain to authorities because they didn't want to cause any problems, Jenkins reported.The police chief declined an interview, but said he was launching an investigation. Copyright 2007 by TheIndyChannel.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
