Posted at: 08/11/2009 11:49 AM | KSAX.com
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Tasing Complaint Dismissed

A man filed a complaint after being tased in the groin. No investigation will take place on a Verndale Police Chief accused of mishandling a tasing incident.

Police Chief Jeff Jares tased a man in the groin outside a Verndale bar which led to an infection.

According to Wadena Pioneer Journal, suspect Brandon Christensen, 23, of Browerville, filed a complaint with the Verndale City Council which questioned the reasoning behind the Chief’s tasing.

Chief Jares was called to the bar due to a tip that an adult was giving alcohol to minors in the parking lot of the Verndale bar. When Jares smelt alcohol on Christensen, he was given a sobriety test and blew .08, right at the limit of being too intoxicated to drive. Chief Jares attempted to arrest the suspect for driving while intoxicated, however, the suspect ran away on foot before being tased.

After the complaint was filed by Christensen, Lt. Mark Englund of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department reviewed the case, comparing Chief Jares’ actions to the Professional Conduct Police and Use of Force Policy.

Englund then wrote, “At this time I am declining to conduct an investigation into this matter,” according to Wadena Pioneer Journal.

At a meeting with the mayor no one spoke up against closing the case.