Sidney police officer uses Taser on woman with knife

A Sidney police offer used a stun gun on a local woman last week after she allegedly threatened him with a large kitchen knife.

Following the incident on Friday afternoon, the woman was transported to the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff for a psychological evaluation.

Sidney Police Department Assistant Chief Joe Aikens said the disturbance occurred around noon at the woman’s residence in the north part of Sidney.

“The officer responded to Cheyenne Villa to stand by while Adult Protective Services checked on the lady,” he said. “In the course of contact, she pulled a knife and threatened the officer.”

After the Taser was deployed, the woman dropped the knife and was taken into custody.

No one was injured in the scuffle, and a Cheyenne County Sheriff’s deputy responded as backup, Aikens said.

As of Monday morning, no charges related to the incident had been filed.

“The mental evaluation will take precedence,” Aikens said.

An incident report will later be forwarded to the county attorney, who will determine what criminal charges to file against the woman.

Aikens said the last time a Sidney police officer deployed a Taser was likely a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s a tool used in our profession to unarm some suspects,” Aikens said.