Case # 24-0842
Sebastopol Police Department – Case# 24-0842
Content Warning: The following video contains strong language and footage involving police activity that some may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
These videos are of an incident that occurred on 12/08/24 at 9:21 pm. This is the entire incident as recorded by the two Officers body worn cameras. The incident began when it was reported that a man was brandishing a hatchet toward medical personnel that were checking on the person’s well-being.
Two Officers arrived on scene and contacted the individual. The individual was sitting with a hatchet laying on the ground next to him. The Officers attempted to have conversation with the individual but the subject was belligerent and yelled profanities at the Officers. The subject then grabbed a hatchet and stood up, raising the hatchet above his head and walked toward the officers in a threatening manner.
The Officers immediately gave multiple commands to stay seated to calm the individual and deescalate the situation, but the individual refused and continued to walk toward the officers. Due to the subject disobeying commands and continuing to brandish the hatchet, the Officers displayed and then fired their department issued Taser at the individual. The first use of the taser was ineffective due to a heavy coat that the individual was wearing. The Taser fires two small, barbed probes which are designed to penetrate some clothing and contact skin which causes temporary loss of muscle control and incapacitation by electrical current. Each Taser has the capability to fire two sets of probes in case the first set does not have the desired effect. When the first deployment failed, the officers fired the taser a second time. The second usage was momentarily effective with the subject falling to the ground, but again due to the thick clothing, the Taser did not make a good connection, and the subject was able to stand.
The officers deployed a second Taser that was effective, but caused the subject to fall backward and hit his head on the concrete. The officers were able to safely control the individual and place him in cuffs. Medical personnel were still on scene during this entire event and rendered medical aid immediately. The suspect was transported by ambulance, treated at a local hospital, and was later booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on multiple charges.
This incident highlights the dangers police officers may face and easily could have resulted in much more tragic outcome for the suspect, the officers, or both. This incident is under internal review to ensure that all departmental policies, procedures and applicable laws were followed.
Any questions or comments may be directed to Interim Police Chief Ron Nelson at: rnelson@cityofsebastopol.gov; or to Captain James Hickey at: jhickey@cityofsebastopol.gov