PHILADELPHIA. City police were unapologetic yesterday in defending an officer’s use of a taser to bring down a high school senior who ran into the outfield at Citizens Bank Park and eluded ballpark staff for a few moments.
Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who defended the officer’s use of a department-issued “conducted energy device” as consistent with the use of force policy, met with Phillies officials yesterday. They are now considering whether city police will get involved in the future when fans run on the field.
“Our policy is pretty clear as to when we can use them. Hindsight is 20-20, yeah, he turned out to be a high school kid, but when he ran out onto the field, you don’t know what kind of intent he has,” police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said.
Steve Consalvi, 17, of Pottstown, has been charged with two misdemeanors, including resisting arrest. He has a court hearing May 25, his father said yesterday.
“He”s all right. He’s fine now,” Wayne Consalvi said, noting that his son acted like “we all do when we were younger.”
