Martinsville officer defends using stun gun on child

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - The Martinsville board of works handed down its recommendation for Officer Darren Johnson Tuesday evening. Johnson admits using a stun gun on an unruly 10-year-old child in March.

The board suspended Officer Johnson for over a month over the incident.

Captain William Jennings resigned from the force over his role in the incident.

Captain Jennings and Officer Johnson were accused in March of slapping and shocking the boy at a day care center.

A special prosecutor announced last month that no criminal charges would be filed against the officers.

Johnson used the meeting partly to defend and explain his actions.

"He (the boy) did fight with officers, his movement was very rapid. I didn't get kicked in the left thigh area," said Officer Johnson. "Someone needed to gain control of the situation and I didn't feel my superior officer had done that. I felt that he had elevated that fact."

Since the incident, Officer Johnson has been on paid leave.

"I used the Tazer as a tool to do its job and in my opinion it was successful," said Officer Johnson.

The police department recommended Johnson be suspended without pay for 45 days, with five days already served. He's also to remain on probation for two years.

People following the case have mixed feelings about the suspension.

"I think it was fair. At least it will send a warning somebody else to give it that second thought, but sometimes officers don't have that moment to have second thoughts," said Johnny Abney of Bloomington.

"I wonder why two grown men couldn't confront this little boy without doing this stuff, slapping him and Tazing him," said Danny Mitchell of Martinsville.

Martinsville Mayor Phil Deckard said he regretted the situation and told Officer Johnson he looks forward to him returning to the department.

"I didn't want to Taze that 10-year-old child. It was not something I expected doing until the point that my superior officer took the action he did," said Officer Johnson.

During Officer Johnson's probation, he has to have daily evaluations with his immediate supervisor and written evaluations presented to the board every six months during the probation period.

Officer Johnson is also required to write an apology to all the people affected by the incident.