GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- One day after a cell phone video surfaced of a Grand Rapids police officer drawing his taser to break up a fight, the department is defending his actions.
It happened Wednesday afternoon at Martin Luther King Park in Grand Rapids.
Even though video of the incident sparked interest online, the department said the officer was simply following protocol. Grand Rapids police released dash cam video to tell their side of the story before people jump to conclusions.
"His goal has to be to stop the actions that are happening right then and there," Sgt. Terry Dixon explained.
The footage shows juveniles lying on the ground and the officer standing over them with a taser. As the video continues, backup arrives and the youngsters are placed in handcuffs.
Dixon recommended putting yourself in the officer's shoes.
"When it comes to individuals responding and hurting a police officer, there’s no real age limit now," said Dixon. "A teenager can pull the trigger or hurt an officer just as well as an adult," he continued.
As of Thursday evening no charges had been filed against the juveniles involved, nor are the youngsters in police custody.
Dixon encouraged people to take part in the citizen police academy to learn more about what law enforcement goes through daily.
