Tasering a man when he’s down

Article published: Wednesday, April 14th 2010

An officer from Greater Manchester Police is currently under investigation for using a taser on a man suffering from an epileptic fit.

The incident occurred when the 40-year-old man collapsed during a session at the Powerleague gym in Whalley Range in November. Police backup was called in response to the man biting and punching the ambulance crew, actions brought on by his violent seizure.

In what appears to be an inappropriate and unnecessary use of force to subdue the man – who at the time was already restrained – an officer on the scene discharged his taser at least once into the victim.

Following a two week stay in hospital, the man later filed a complaint through his solicitor alleging that the officers had used excessive and unnecessary force. This was then referred by Greater Manchester Police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on March 12 to “examine the appropriateness of the actions taken by the police officers who attended to assist the paramedics.”

The investigation is still underway.

More: News, Policing

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