Officer Who Used Taser on Pregnant Teen Fired
Officer Who Used Taser on Pregnant Teen Fired Save Email Print
Posted: 5:16 PM Nov 20, 2008
 Last Updated: 5:16 PM Nov 20, 2008
 Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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EAST BANK, W.Va. (AP) - A Kanawha County police officer has been fired after he admitted using a Taser on a pregnant teenager and a firefighter.

East Bank Mayor Chuck Blair says Sgt. Steve Smith was fired after the Town Council learned of the incidents in September. Smith had been on probation because he had not been an officer for more than a year.

Eighteen-year-old Candice White told the Council she was sitting on her porch when Smith, who is a friend of her mother, showed up and began playing around with the Taser. She says Smith used it on her leg several times.

Smith told the Council White had asked him to use the Taser on her and that the power setting was very low.

An East Bank volunteer firefighter also told the Council that Smith used the Taser on him because it was his birthday.
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Posted by: HAHAHAHA on Nov 25, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Toothfairy...thanks for the laugh. I now feel much dumber having read that. Two words for you...spelling and grammar. Work on that.
Posted by: Chris on Nov 23, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I wish I had a taser at my job! :(
Posted by: cindy on Nov 23, 2008 at 02:44 PM
after reading the e-news report of the officer abusing the use of a taser, the council was right to fire him on the spot! they are not toys and should never be used as such on anyone for any reason, smith having been a police officer should have known better, i for one feel safer now knowing he's no longer allowed to use one period !!!
Posted by: GrowUp on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Mom always said "little boys shouldn't play with big boy toys". I guess Mom was right once again.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Does it matter really if she asked him to do it or not? It's his fault all around. He's a police officer someone whom we're supposed to respect and trust!!! Sounds like you cant't trust this guy at all! And she's 18 too immature to think about whether it would hurt a baby and too immature to care! He needed to act like the adult here and did not! He should get fired and the mother should also take responsibility!! Letting some "friend" taser her daughter!
Posted by: Dianna on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Anyone can buy a taser gun. I think it's silly he got fired over this. Regardless, he shouldn't have used it even when the people ask him to, but this is just nuts.
Posted by: Sue on Nov 22, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Thi is so stupid. He is an officer of the law, and SHOULD know better thatn to do something like this!
Posted by: Jim on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM
sally, you must date a cop. Otherwise you wouldn't support them blindly like ewe do. Baaaa goes the sheep.
Posted by: Leif Garrett on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:13 AM
I hope at least they had enough sense to video this and send it to The Worlds Dummest Videos. Probably the only was any of them are going to make a living. Also, apparently the officer was a Sargent. Thats a nothing rank in a nothing department.
Posted by: mayor of hgtn on Nov 21, 2008 at 07:09 PM
sgt smith would you please come to work in huntington we could use a real go getter like you. you seem qualified, you do not need to apply just show up at roll call and we will assign you a vehicle
Posted by: xxxx on Nov 21, 2008 at 07:06 PM
does the name barney fife come to mind
Posted by: To Kayla on nov 21 on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Mabey you should learn the difference between watts and amps when dealing with voltage.
Posted by: Jack on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Say Ty, I would like to know who the moron was that promoted him to Sgt. in less than a year before he was accepted as an officer. I know officers who spend 4 or five years before being promoted.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Why would this teen let the officer tase her knowing it could hard her baby? And I read in these comments that her mother was present?? Are they both being charged with crimes as well? Child endangerment!!!
Posted by: no name on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:48 PM
there both craving attention
Posted by: Rock on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:48 PM
The issue isn't if the "victims" gave permission for him to taser them, the issue is that a police officer should know better. If someone gives you permission to punch them in the face they can still sue you for the dental bills if you damage their teeth.
Posted by: dawn on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:26 PM
i think the officer got what he deserved cause they shouldnt be able to play around with the tasers cause they do hurt.officers should be more responsible with the weapons they care then what they are. he deserved to get fired.
Posted by: Melinda on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:17 PM
AREN'T THE COPS SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE TASERS USED ON THEM TO KNOW HOW IT FEELS BEFORE THEY GET TO USE ONE. THAT'S LIKE TAKING A GUN AND SHOOTING IT AT EACH OTHER TO SEE IF IT HURTS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS COP. I HOPE HE DOESN'T GET A JOB AS A COP SOMEWHERE ELSE IF THIS IS HOW HE ACTS HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE A COP. SHAME ON YOU!
Posted by: sally on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM
its all gonna be "he said, she said"...and nobody is ever going to know. someone is lying and that's that. the only thing that annoys me is that im sure all of those who are bashing the officer have had a run-in with one or two in the past. that usually does taint someones view of the law, and from then on, you hate policemen. despite the fact that there are "bad cops" out there, im gonna go out on a limb and say that she was willing to play along until she realized it hurt. now look at the attention she is gonna get for getting a "pig" in trouble. stories like this annoy me. i think they are both somewhat to blame.
Posted by: taco jim on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:03 AM
he gave the firefighter a hit with the tazer for his birthday? cheap gift but it works
Posted by: go to itown on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:53 AM
The officer could go to Ironton and get a job.
Posted by: toothfairy on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I thunk it's funny when people think these town cop's get paid so much. Think again. There is no money. They got to put up with so much, if I was a cop. I would go work for the mines. Little test can make u 20 or so a hour. You still put your life at risk. Cause people now days just want to sue for everything and anyhing they can. Stuff I read in the paper, Is about pill heads and crack heads. If I was a cop, U wouldn't want me. I cant stand drunk drivers, drunks period. Low lifes. People now days, think they can do what ever they want. If I was the cops. I would make your way less pay from us tax payer be known. Stick it to them. Some residents in the areas u work. Does care. The low lifes dont!
Posted by: MeAgain on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Do people even know how to grow up today?
Posted by: kayla on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I dont think there should be tazer guns im in high school and we learn alot about elc. there are to many watts going in to somebodys body when they gey shot with one of those yah they come in handy for the officers but some officers take them as there a toy not noing they could realy kill a person with a tazer gun or a pregnant lady at that they could kill the baby as a high school mom people think im stupid but i dont know what i would do with out my little boy.... There should be no tazer guns aloud to bo used buy just an officer by him self
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:31 AM
dude, you were an officer. not a kid. grow up. lets taser you in the nuts and see if you like that. evidently the other two friends of yours did not.
Posted by: Stunned on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:01 AM
This "officer" needs to find a new line of work. I would not even give him a water pistol. I have been concerned about the type of officers we have in our systems lately but this one really takes the cake.
Posted by: carl on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:59 AM
as a child you act,walk,talk,act as a child . but as a man you put away all childesh things this officer is a public servent you don,t go around tazing kids just because they ask you to it is a setup stuped!!!!! next time think before you act!!!!
Posted by: CHRIS on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:30 AM
I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT! IF YOU WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER, ITS ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW!! IF YOUR DUMB OR NOT DONT MATTER...ITS WHO YOU KNOW!
Posted by: TO AMAMNDA on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:25 AM
I totally agree! She could have got up and left or said no dont do it. Sounds loke to me she isnt so innocent!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 at 04:30 AM
Another EXAMPLE of no RESPECT for LIFE of an (UNBORN-CHILD)Hope the YOUNG MOTHER, HER CHILD & FIREFIGHTER who were TASERED by this IGNORANT OFFICER is alright! CRIMES take place where KIDS,TEENS & ADULTS are SEVERLEY INJURED,their LIFE SPAN-SHORTENED because of it and LIFE as they knew TAKEN from them, because of ATTEMPTED MURDER upon their LIFE by others or someone,some are murdered and DIE INSTANTLY! These are SERIOUS CRIMES! TRAUMA TO VICTIMS! IT IS UN-ACCECPTABLE, WHEN NOTHING is DONE! WORSE,THIS IS UNFAIR TO INNOCENT(YOUNG VICTIMS or ANY VICTIM) With a YOUNG TEEN IN MIND,I WANT TO SAY YOUR FAMILY and TRUE FRIENDS LOVE and MISS YOU JAMIE! PICIES of our SHATTERED HEARTS BREAK EVERY MINUTE EACH DAY for YOU!Tears at times are Heavy! WE MISS YOUR LAUGHTER, BRIGHT EYES,KINDNESS, and HONESTY! YOU WERE ALWAYS HELPING OTHERS in NEED,FIXING SOMEONES COMPUTER,Helping to ROOF A HOME,SHARING FOOD with FRIENDS! YOUR LIFE YOU GAVE To The MOST HIGHEST BEING and by STUDYING YOU KNEW HIS TRUE NAME!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:56 AM
This is the guy that was fired from the WV State Police, Pratt Police, Glasgow Police, Belle Police and now East Bank. You would think departments would catch on to this. Let me guess he is going to be hired in Chesapeake or Cedar Grove. Those are his only options or mall security.
Posted by: Amanda on Nov 21, 2008 at 01:49 AM
I agree that no one in this situation has all their ducks in a row. I think it is ridiculous that the all the blame is being put on this officer. Miss White's common sense is questionable, she allowed the officer to use the taser on her, and if you speak to anyone who knows her or her family its obvious. For starters her mother was present, come on what kind of parent are you?
Posted by: COWBOY on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:08 PM
SHOCKING
Posted by: joe on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:59 PM
hey "me"...read the article...the guys was playing with his DEPARTMENT ISSUED equipment...has nothing to do with threats and drug dealers! Im a cop too, i just read the article! I do agree with raising your kids better though!
Posted by: loralee on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:47 PM
i say taser him in the... well i cant say where but im sure you can figure out where...idiot!
Posted by: Me on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Its called dealing with the public people. Wake up and look at our society today. DRUG DEALERS are running rampid in our streets. I am a police officer myself and we were taught to treat everyone that we deal with as a potential threat to harm us. Now you know why each time we stop a car for anything we have our hands upon our guns ready for anything. Because you cant take to many precautions. PEOPLE, RAISE YOUR CHILDREN WITH MORALS AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE IN ABOUT 100 YEARS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS SOCIETY. IF THIS WORLD IS HEAR THAT LONG. I MYSELF DONT THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO TURN IT AROUND. GET READY FOR HIS RETURN PEOPLE !!!
Posted by: joe on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Folks! Everywhere you turn there is a bad apple! Im not for sure, but East Bank Police Department's officers are probably put on the road before the academy without direct supervision! Which means that they dont know anything...including LIABILITY issues, because they have never been taught! Bigger Agencies such as Charleston, Huntington, Beckley, WVSP tend to "weed out" the bad apples before they go to the academy. Then the academy does there best to "weed out" the others that the backgrounds missed. I never said that the agencies I listed were 100% perfectly free of bad apples so please don't talk about my comment! Just throwing stuff out for discussion! Thanks!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Give these moron officers a big pay raise and that will solve the problem. They cannot act professionally and humanely without more money!!!!!!
Posted by: Pig in the blanket on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Wow! I just got done looking at the comments posted about people passing a test to become and officer of the law in Huntington.Now I read this and I'm like????? Wow!
Posted by: captdanamerica on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Helloooo...When is America going to wake up and see that the selection process for law enforcement officers is severely flawed. I've often wondered what is looked for and/or missed in the psychological testing that these recruits are given. The majority of all that I've met or encountered or known have quite frankly had some type of mental and/or social problem. And it's not the Barney Fife's that worry me. It's the "Walking Talls'".
Posted by: Ty on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Uuhhhhh...DUHHHH!!!! This is a no brainer for me. Where did they find this moron?
Posted by: Claudette on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Dear LORD.....what's going on with all these officers, firefighters, magistrates, etc., that we are supposed to look to with respect and admiration, trust in them to have our well being in mind???? Has EVERYONE gone to the dogs??? No, I know they haven't, but it sure makes ya wonder anymore!
Posted by: Justice for All on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Obviously this individual wasn't mature enough to be a officer in the first place. Good thing he was weeded out before something more serious occurred.
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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