Tasered suspect suffers ‘life-changing injuries’
John Twomey
THREE police officers are being probed by the official watchdog after a tasered suspect suffered a life-changing injury.
The unnamed man, in his 20s, jumped over a wall, but plunged to the ground after he was hit by the 50,000 volt stun gun last week.
He was arrested for drugsrelated offences and taken to hospital where his injury was assessed by doctors.
Sal Naseem, regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said: “This is an extremely serious incident where, we understand, a man has suffered life-changing injuries.
“We are in contact with his family and will keep them and him informed, as we carry out our independent investigation.
“Our role is to seek answers about what happened and share any learning highlighted by our investigations. Our investigation will look at all the circumstances and consider whether there are any conduct or criminal matters.”
Sad
Detective Chief Superintendent Treena Fleming, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “I have spoken with the man and a family member and have assured them that I am fully committed to supporting the IOPC investigation.
“All police officers are fully aware that they will be asked to account for their actions – officers are not exempt from the law and we would not wish to be.”
Three officers have been informed they are under investigation and have been placed on restricted duties.
Police are concerned the tasering in Haringey, north London, may cause tensions in the area.
Ms Fleming said: “An incident like this is very sad and will naturally provoke conversations community.
“I would ask people to allow the independent investigation to take place and report its findings in due course, so that the full circumstances can be established.”
In Manchester, up to 15 protesters staged a demonstration at a petrol station in Stretford, where a man was tasered lastWednesday.
Mobile phone footage, widely shared on social media, shows Desmond Ziggy Mombeyarara, 34, putting down his crying son before commentary and within the local he is hit by a Taser. As he collapsed to the ground, the boy becomes hysterical and screams “Daddy!”
Mombeyarara appeared at court last Friday and denied resisting police in the execution of their duty.
He claimed afterwards he did not believe the “magnitude of force” was warranted.
He said: “I was saying to the officers, ‘Let us calm the situation for the little one because the little one doesn’t feel comfortable’.
“But they were making out like I was using him as a human shield.”
Police used a Taser, top left, to shoot a man in London and another in Stretford, above, prompting a demo from angry residents, left