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Report Faults Use of Pepper Spray Pellet Gun For Crowd Control

By TChris, Section Misconduct
Posted on Wed May 25, 2005 at 05:20:38 PM EST
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by TChris

TalkLeft lamented -- here and here -- the use of pepper spray projectiles as crowd control devices after a woman, cheering on the Boston Red Sox, died when a pellet struck her eye. A panel investigating the death faults the police officer who fired the errant shot, but also places blame on the department's decision to buy the pellet guns for crowd control.

As to the officer:

"Officer Milien failed to take sufficiently into account that he was shooting at a moving target in the midst of a crowd and that a missed shot could easily strike a bystander," the report said.

As to the department:

"We find that inadequate planning and training, combined with a breakdown of command discipline, set up a situation ripe to produce an unintended result," read the report by the commission, headed by former U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern.

The commission also faulted the Police Department's decision to buy the air-powered pellet guns in early 2004. Police officials did little research before making the purchase, then failed to properly train officers in their use, the panel said.

Five officers face departmental discipline as a result of their role in the woman's tragic death. The City of Boston paid the woman's family $5.1 million to settle their wrongful death claim.

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    • Report Faults Use of Pepper Spray Pellet Gun For Crowd Control | 3 comments (3 topical)
    Re: Report Faults Use of Pepper Spray Pellet Gun F (none / 0) (#1)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    It is my understanding that serving in the military will give you two years credit towards police academy training. Can anyone confirm this? Patrick. Are you there?

    Re: Report Faults Use of Pepper Spray Pellet Gun F (none / 0) (#2)
    by jimcee on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    You can't be having cops shooting projectiles at random, especially at protester/celebrants. It seems that if you need tear gas you would be better off applying it passively than projectile-like. Better training of the police would be the best solution but I also have to say that celebration is one thing but celebratory rioting is another. It's the next best thing to a soccer riot. Eh? I once had to explain to an auto rental agency why my rental was burned beyond recognition in Montreal after the "Habitants" won the Stanley Cup. We're talking Canada here!

    Re: Report Faults Use of Pepper Spray Pellet Gun F (none / 0) (#3)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    Che, Speaking only for California, it doesn't happen. Once you graduate the academy and get hired, for retirement purposes you can "buy back your military time." Which IIRC means you pay a portion of what you would have paid for your retirement in those years and get credit (Year for year) towards retirement. Also, if your military service was law enforcement related, the years of experience can count towards promotions and pay raises, but not the academy. Hope it answers your question.

    Report Faults Use of Pepper Spray Pellet Gun For Crowd Control | 3 comments (3 topical)