Broomfield Cop Tasers Girl

In case you missed it, here's the original story of the cop in Broomfield who tasered the girl at his home.

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A 16-year veteran of the Broomfield Police Department was arrested over the weekend on charges of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.

William A. "Skip" Van Arsdale, 42, of Broomfield was booked and released Sunday on charges related to a Nov. 20 incident in which a girl in his home was injured with a Taser.

The case stems from a claim that while Van Arsdale was demonstrating the weapon it “struck the girl at or near her right eye and caused her serious injury,” said Assistant 17th Judicial District Attorney Michael Goodbee. “Based on that, he’s been charged with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury through criminal negligence.”

Tasers deliver a low-amperage jolt of about 50,000 volts of electricity, according to the Taser International Web site.

If found guilty of the Class 4 felony, Van Arsdale could face two to eight years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000.

Broomfield Police Chief Tom Deland said Van Arsdale will be put on modified duty until the outcome of the court proceedings, which are scheduled to start Feb. 20.

“He’ll be in some type of administrative capacity and will not be authorized to carry a firearm or Taser,” Deland said.

Van Arsdale, a motorcycle officer assigned to the traffic unit, is better known in Broomfield for the role he plays in organizing the Broomfield Santa Cops program, which collects and distributes holiday gifts to area children in need.

Prosecutors filed the charges in district court Friday after weighing a number of circumstances, Goodbee said, but emphasized that the justice process is still in its early stages.

“The fact that he’s been charged with a crime is merely an accusation,” he's innocent till proven guilty

The Daily Camera