WY: Police use Taser on 76-year-old parade participant

State agents are investigating a Saturday incident in which a 76-year-old man driving a tractor in Glenrock was tasered by police after allegedly failing to obey their orders. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation will look into whether anyone connected to the incident committed a crime, said Special Agent Tim Hill.

The incident happened at Glenrock's annual Deer Creek Days event. Glenrock police said the man, who was operating an antique tractor, failed to obey directions in a parade, Hill said. At some point afterward, police subdued and tasered the man. During the incident, the man's tractor apparently ran into a police car, Hill said.

After the investigation is completed, the findings will be turned over to Converse County Attorney Quentin Richardson and Glenrock Police Chief Tom Sweet. The Converse County Sheriff's Office is investigating whether any traffic violations occurred during the incident, Hill said.

A press release issued by Glenrock police said Sweet requested the DCI investigation immediately following the incident. The release did not detail what took place, other than to say two officers were involved in an incident with a 76-year-old rural Glenrock resident. No charges have been filed, and the department said it will offer no further comments pending the outcome of the DCI investigation. In the meantime, the two officers have been put on paid administrative leave.

"At this time it does not appear ... any violation of Glenrock Police and Procedure was violated," the department said in the release. "However, a complete review of pertinent policies and a complete internal personnel investigation will be conducted after the DCI investigation is complete."

The man who was operating the tractor, Bud Grose, declined to comment when reached by phone Tuesday.

Original report here



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