Debating 'use of force:' Racine's police chief fields questions from city leaders

RACINE -- A police officer's use of force was the subject of discussion inside Racine's city hall on Tuesday evening, September 15th. The police chief addressed policies just a few weeks after cell phone video showing officers tasering and kneeing a wanted man sparked outrage.

Racine Police Chief Art Howell

In front of the Common Council's committee of the whole, Racine Police Chief Art Howell was asked to address the department's policies on 'use of force.'

"When people comply, 95 percent of the time, there's no problem," said Howell.

The presentation comes just a few weeks after 30-year-old Joshua Ammon was arrested near Washington and West Blvd. A warrant was out for his arrest after Ammon allegedly threatened his girlfriend. Records show he has a previous conviction of battery -- and has fought with officers in the past.

Joshua Ammon

Cell phone video showed Ammon being tasered, kneed by officers and bitten by a K-9. That led some witnesses and relatives to question the department's use of force.

The aldermen did not ask Chief Howell about this case, but FOX6 News did.

"We are obviously investigating that matter. So I couldn't comment to you or anyone else what the outcome to the investigation would be," said Howell.

In his presentation, Howell said Racine police respond to 60,000 calls for service per year. But when a subject is combative or resists...

"That might involve strikes - depending on the circumstance," said Howell.

Officers are given no choice but to use other means. The council was bombarded with stats about a variety of incidents in the city.

FOX6 News asked the chief about one stat that was missing. We wanted to know how many cases have been investigated and determined that an officer was unjustified in their use of force.

"You can make an open records request for any of that data," said Chief Howell.

The chief also addressed body cameras. He's planning to budget funds to purchase some in 2017. He says the pros of body cameras outweigh the cons.