Police Officer Fired After Use Off Stungun On Pregnant Woman

TROTWOOD — A civil rights organization said the city on Wednesday fired a police officer who used a stun gun on a pregnant woman.

Richard Jones of the National Action Network in Cleveland said a Trotwood police major told him Wednesday of the officer's dismissal.

The organization is affiliated with civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Mike Etter, Trotwood director of public safety, declined to confirm Jones' statement, saying the case was still under investigation. But he said a press conference has been scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the police department.

Etter has said a Trotwood police officer used a stun gun on Valreca Redden, 33, of Dayton, who tried to turn her 1-year-old son over to police on Nov. 18.

Etter has said that Redden was found to be seven months pregnant after she was subdued for allegedly resisting arrest, then taken to the Montgomery County Jail.

The police officer used a stun gun on Redden's neck after she refused to answer questions about herself and the 1-year-old, then tried to leave with the child. The officer grabbed her sleeve, and told her he was placing her under arrest for child endangering.

When Redden resisted, the officer pulled the child from her and tried to force her to the ground.

A second officer took the child, and the first officer then reportedly forced the woman to the floor on her stomach. He got one hand into a handcuff, but she refused to let him cuff the other. That's when he used the stun gun, according to police.

Redden faces charges of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, and has been released from custody. The child was in the custody of his father.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reviewed the case.

"Police officers have the right to use force, but in this case, there was no need to use force," said Jones of the National Action Network.

source: Daytondailynews (