Ind. Teen: Officer Paid Me $5 To Test Taser

Police Department Launches Investigation

BROOKLYN, Ind. -- A Morgan County, Ind., teenager claims a police officer paid him $5 to get shocked with a Taser gun, an Indianapolis television station reported.

The guns are a new weapon the Brooklyn, Ind., Police Department has acquired recently, WRTV-TV reported.

Ryan Henden (pictured, right), 16, said the incident took place Oct. 18 at the police department. He said he has a scar on his stomach that is still visible from the taser shock.

"He offered me $5 if I'd let him shock me with it. At first I was like, 'No, that will hurt.' And then I was like, 'Yeah, I'll do it.'" He was like, 'Are you sure?' I said, 'Yeah, do it.' And then he did it," Henden said.

Family friend Mike Morgan said he saw the burns right after Henden was shocked, and took pictures of his stomach. He said police are using kids for target practice.

"Some of the other kids were saying that the officer would put a $100 bill at their feet, and if they could reach down and pick it up before he hit him with that, they could have it," Morgan said. "I don't know what's going on in Brooklyn."

The police chief is the only full-time officer on the force, along with three reserve officers. He claimed that he didn't know anything about the incident until WRTV brought it to his attention.

Henden said his bruises are starting to heal and that he now regrets his decision to act as a $5 guinea pig.

"No, I don't think so (that it was worth it). Maybe for 10 (dollars)," Henden said.

Henden and his family told WRTV that they didn't complain to authorities because they didn't want to cause any problems.

The police chief declined an interview but said he was launching an investigation.

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