A Lancaster police officer who used a Taser on an unarmed man sitting on a curb will not be suspended or fired, city Mayor Danene Sorace said.
An investigation into the incident which was captured in a now-viral video is ongoing, but
Officer Philip Bernot was justified in the use of force based on current Taser policies, Sorace said during a news conference Friday afternoon.
Sorace previously issued a statement through the City of Lancaster's PA Government Facebook page saying "Like you, when I saw the video, I was upset by it."
However, changes are coming, the mayor said, and a new policy will allow an officer to use a Taser only if he is faced with "direct physical confrontation."
Officers encountered Williams after responding to a call of a man with a bat who was chasing people in Lancaster on June 28.
A viral Facebook video shows Williams being stunned by police, who was not responding to orders according to a police report.
The video shows an officer repeatedly ordering Williams to extend his legs as he sits on a curb. Williams began to straighten his legs when another voice can be heard telling him to cross them.
As Williams starts to cross his legs, Bernot fires the stun gun.
Williams has filed a federal lawsuit, claiming excessive force, racial profiling and inadequate medical care. He is seeking $75,000 in damages.
