A man is reported to have suffered life changing injuries when he was shot with a Taser by a Police Officer on 4 May 2020. The incident is being looked at by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who have now taken the decision having reviewed body worn video footage and witness statements that a criminal investigation into the actions of the Officer should now be undertaken.
The incident occurred in North London when a man in his 20’s fell having been tasered as he jumped over a wall. Separately on 14 May 2020 the IOPC called for greater scrutiny on the use of Tasers by the Police.
The IOPC stated more Officers are now carrying Taser and there are concerns about its disproportionate use against black men and those with mental health issues.
The IOPC referred to a number of recent Taser incidents currently being independently investigated or assessed by the IOPC including the above incident in North London on 4 May 2020 together with an incident involving a Greater Manchester Police Officer on 6 May 2020 in which the Officer used a Taser on a suspect outside a Petrol Station with the man’s child present nearby. Further the IOPC referred to an incident on 6 May 2020 where a man was stopped in London for a drugs search and was red dotted with a Taser. Video footage of the incident was widely shared on social media.
Finally the IOPC referred to a West Midland incident in February 2020 in which a member of the public was tasered by an Officer subsequently suspended following allegations of excessive force during other incidents.
Blog by Richard Hardy, Partner
