Experts question use of force during arrest of woman accused of drunkenly assaulting officers

The arrest of Elizabeth Vulakovich has law enforcement experts divided on whether there was an excessive use of force to get her under control. Her arrest comes after police say she was drinking at two bars in Millvale, pulled a gun out of her purse, and activated the light and laser while at one of the bars.

Police tracked her down at the Millvale Ball field, where a Reserve Township police officer tased her. At that time, her legs were shackled, she was handcuffed, and halfway inside of a police car.

According to detectives, Vulakovich became violent, and started yelling racial and homophobic slurs at police — then punched, kicked, and spit on officers.

Despite being restrained, investigators say Vulakovich was able to kick an officer in the back of the head. That’s when the Reserve Township officer tased her.

“She was still assaulting the officers even though she was handcuffed and shackled. While she was temporarily restrained by those devices, she was still out of control assaulting officers,” former Pittsburgh police officer David Wright said.

Wright still specializes in the use of force.

Based on how Vulakovich was acting, Wright says the taser was likely the best option.

“Based on the information I’ve read so far, this was a reasonable response to a violent subject,” he said.

However, the head of The City of Pittsburgh’s Citizen Police Review Board, Beth Pittinger disagreed. While she acknowledges Vulakovich’s alleged violent behavior, she’s questioning the officer’s use of force.

“She was isolated in the back of a vehicle she was fully physically restrained. I would question the use of taser. It would not seem to be an appropriate use of taser at that point,” Pittinger said.

Even more concerning to Pittinger, is the fact that EMS crews then used a sedative to get her under control.

“Outside of a medical environment, under the advisement of a physician to use a drug to gain control of a person… whoa that’s frightening,” she said

The Reserve Township police chief tells Channel 11, that his officer acted in accordance with the law, and in accordance with the department’s use of force policy.

Channel 11 has confirmed that the District attorney is aware of this arrest, and the use of the taser. A spokesperson tells me they are coordinating a review.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter . | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW: