Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks on Thursday afternoon said he had decided to give a second chance to an officer who was earlier terminated for using a taser on a handcuffed prisoner.

Chief Parks said factors brought out at a hearing Thursday before a 3-member City Council committee influenced his decision. He said one of those was evidence that the taser may not have been administered for a full 11 seconds on the prisoner as was first thought.

The penalty for Officer Campbell will be a 28-day suspension instead of termination.

Chief Parks had testified earlier in the hearing Steve Campbell had been a good officer, but he said his actions in using a taser on a handcuffed man warranted his termination.

Chief Parks said then, "I have been tased and it was one of the most painful things I have been through in my life."

The hearing lasted all morning and part of the afternoon, and the committee was set to begin its deliberations when Chief Parks conferred with defense attorneys and then made his announcement.

He said it had been a difficult, complex case, and he said he felt the reversal was the correct action "so we can put this officer back to work."

Councilman Manny Rico, one of the members of the panel, said the ruling "should not be interpreted as a free pass to other officers" to use excessive force. He told Officer Campbell, "I don't want to see you back up here again."

Councilman Rico said while he was campaigning he heard many citizen concerns about alleged use of excessive force by police officers.

Attorney Lee Davis had asked the council to change the punishment to 28 days, saying Officer Campbell otherwise had an excellent record.

Several police officers testified for the officer, saying they would not hesitate to work with him in a tense situation.

Officer Campbell had demonstrated how he tased the driver of a vehicle after a high-speed chase. Last Sept. 11, Matthew Trent Jones and Jason McCollum were taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit that originated in Georgia and terminated at 2000 Market Street in the parking lot of Kanku’s Market.

Mr. Campbell said the driver had been handcuffed, but was still kicking and resisting. He said he used the taser twice, including just a short burst the first time.

He said the first shot hit the man's shoulder and the second the back of the head. He said it hit his head because he was thrashing around.

Chief Parks said tests show the first tase was five seconds and the second six seconds. He said he was advised that the actual duration of the first tase might have been shorter than five seconds, but there is no doubt the second one was six seconds.

Chief Parks was asked about Officer Michael Wenger, who was suspended for 28 days without pay. He said Officer Wenger's action was immediately after the end of the pursuit, while Officer Campbell's came sometime later. He said Officer Wenger used a forearm and fractured the eye socket of the passenger.

Officer Shane Wells was also terminated due to his actions in the incident. He dropped his appeal.

Sgt. Chad Sullivan was suspended for 10 days without pay.

Chief Parks said earlier, "These are good officers who made poor decisions."

Chief Parks said after persons are taken into custody "our job changes. We are to protect that person until we get them to where they are supposed to be taken."

The incident had been videotaped and was shown a number of times on local TV. It was also viewed by members of the City Council committee.

Also hearing the case were Council members Sally Robinson and Linda Ward Bennett.

Attorney Gary Gerbitz also represented Mr. Campbell, while Shelley Parker represented the city.