Anti Federalist
08-11-2009, 10:37 PM
Residents vent frustrations over Glenrock tasing
http://www.trib.com/articles/2009/08/11/homepage_lead/doc4a816fb93e5ef853922200.txt
By JOSHUA WOLFSON
Star-Tribune staff writer
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 7:18 AM MDT
Glenrock residents packed their town hall Monday to voice outrage over the tasing of a 76-year-old man by police officers at a parade.
The man's family called for the officers' firing, and Police Chief Tom Sweet told the crowd "we probably didn't do things the best way we could have."
The Aug. 1 incident remains under investigation, but most of the people who addressed town leaders at a council meeting suggested the officers used excessive force when they tased Bud Grose at Glenrock's annual Deer Creek Days event.
"They both, in my opinion, acted like doped up thugs," Grose's daughter-in-law, Pat Grose, said.
Glenrock Mayor Steve Cielinski and most of the town council apologized to residents and asked for patience, as agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation examine whether any crimes were committed during the encounter.
Cielinski promised the results of the investigation would be made public.
"If we have to stand up and take it on the chin, we will," he said.
The exact circumstances that led to the tasing have not been disclosed by authorities. Glenrock police told state agents Bud Grose failed to obey directions while he was operating an antique tractor at the parade.
Grose had not discussed the encounter publicly, but several people who witnessed the event told the crowd police repeatedly shocked him with a taser.
"Those two were the most out-of-control officers I've ever seen in my life," said Scott McWilliams, a witness who said he was shoved by one of the officers. "These two guys got to go."
Mike Pyatt, a former Glenrock police officer, called one of the officers a "hot head" and said the other had poor people skills. He called on town leaders to make changes at the department.
"We will hold you accountable," he said.
Residents are also angry the officers are being paid while on leave pending the investigation.
"I think it is an insult to the Grose family and the community that these offices have been put on paid leave," Pat Grose said to enthusiastic applause.
Sweet, said he won't act before receiving the DCI report, which should happen by the beginning of next week.
"I don't want to take a knee jerk reaction now," he said.
However, he added he has already begun to review the department's policies in light of the incident
"I'll be the first to admit, we probably didn't do things the best way we could have," he said. "But the only way to fix that is by working together."
Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Read his blog at tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog.
http://www.trib.com/articles/2009/08/11/homepage_lead/doc4a816fb93e5ef853922200.txt
By JOSHUA WOLFSON
Star-Tribune staff writer
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 7:18 AM MDT
Glenrock residents packed their town hall Monday to voice outrage over the tasing of a 76-year-old man by police officers at a parade.
The man's family called for the officers' firing, and Police Chief Tom Sweet told the crowd "we probably didn't do things the best way we could have."
The Aug. 1 incident remains under investigation, but most of the people who addressed town leaders at a council meeting suggested the officers used excessive force when they tased Bud Grose at Glenrock's annual Deer Creek Days event.
"They both, in my opinion, acted like doped up thugs," Grose's daughter-in-law, Pat Grose, said.
Glenrock Mayor Steve Cielinski and most of the town council apologized to residents and asked for patience, as agents with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation examine whether any crimes were committed during the encounter.
Cielinski promised the results of the investigation would be made public.
"If we have to stand up and take it on the chin, we will," he said.
The exact circumstances that led to the tasing have not been disclosed by authorities. Glenrock police told state agents Bud Grose failed to obey directions while he was operating an antique tractor at the parade.
Grose had not discussed the encounter publicly, but several people who witnessed the event told the crowd police repeatedly shocked him with a taser.
"Those two were the most out-of-control officers I've ever seen in my life," said Scott McWilliams, a witness who said he was shoved by one of the officers. "These two guys got to go."
Mike Pyatt, a former Glenrock police officer, called one of the officers a "hot head" and said the other had poor people skills. He called on town leaders to make changes at the department.
"We will hold you accountable," he said.
Residents are also angry the officers are being paid while on leave pending the investigation.
"I think it is an insult to the Grose family and the community that these offices have been put on paid leave," Pat Grose said to enthusiastic applause.
Sweet, said he won't act before receiving the DCI report, which should happen by the beginning of next week.
"I don't want to take a knee jerk reaction now," he said.
However, he added he has already begun to review the department's policies in light of the incident
"I'll be the first to admit, we probably didn't do things the best way we could have," he said. "But the only way to fix that is by working together."
Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Read his blog at tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog.