PORTLAND - A diabetic woman and her family called for better training for police after a Portland officer used a stun gun to subdue her during a medical emergency.

Brandi Hess says she's diabetic, "not a criminal."

The 26-year-old had a diabetic reaction late Saturday.

Hess's roommate called 9-1-1 after Hess said she felt sick. The roommate warned police and paramedics that, because of Hess' condition, she would be unresponsive and scared.

KGW Photo

Brandi Hess shows marks on her arm where police used a taser on her.

According to the police report, shortly after the officer arrived, the woman punched him without provocation.

As the officer, firefighters, and woman began to struggle, the officer was kicked several times in the stomach and groin, according to police, who said a firefighter was also punched at least twice.

Police said the officer then deployed his taser. Immediately after deployment, the woman stopped fighting and was given medical attention.

Sergeant Brian Schmautz, a spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau, said the stun gun might have been the best option. He said other options, such as using a control hold to keep the patient down, can lead to broken bones.

But the woman's father, Dan Hess, the former police chief in Dundee, said the Portland police could have done better.

"We want the community to know that the department needs some serious training, and they need some skills in dealing with medical calls before they kill someone.

Brandi Hess said she doesn't remember what happened between the time she told her roommate that her blood sugar was low and she woke up after getting intravenous medicine. The stun gun was used on her shoulder and the back of her knee.

"My body feels like I was run over by a truck," Hess said.