Police officers share Taser video in row with watchdog
The Scottish Police Federation( SPF) has circulated video footage in which a man is shot with a Taser after the incident led to criticism from a watchdog.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) said in a report published earlier this week that it was neither “reasonable or necessary” to use the Taser in the incident outside a pub in Bannockburn, Stirling, in September.
The SPF, which represents rank and file officers, reacted angrily, asking what the officer should have done differently.
Now the Federation has released video footage showing the confrontation between the man and the officers.
Apparently filmed using a mobile phone, the video shows the man initially running away from officers before turning to confront them. He is struck with the Taser and is seen falling to the ground.
The Pirc said that during the incident, the man had become aggressive towards the officers and had challenged them to a fight.
He had been sprayed twice with PAVA spray (an incapacitant) and witnesses described him being disorientated and walking backwards, away from officers, when the Taser was discharged.
He was charged with a number of offences and later convicted.
The watchdog recommended the Specially Trained Officer who used the Taser undergo further training.
Responding to the publication of the report, SPF General Secretary Calum Steele said: “It is surprising that the Pirc makes no comment on what the officers should have done, rather they criticised what was done.”
In a message accompany - ing the video posted on social media, the SPF said: “This man had escaped from police, was non- compliant, challenging officers to a fight on a busy road .( In cap ac it ant spray) PAVA was used and didn’ t work. Apparently Taser was ‘disproportionate ’. Our simple question to the Pircis‘w hat would you...?’”
Police Scotland last year equipped 500 officers with Tasers amid concerns over unarmed officers being sent to violent incidents.
When the SPF surveyed its members in 2017, 95 per cent of respondents said they were prepared to be trained in the use of a Taser and 90 per cent said they would like to have one.
A spokesman for the Pirc said: “Our role as an independent organisation is to investigate serious matters which have b een referred to us, in this case by Police S cotland. Following our investigation into this particular incident, we published a rep or t with our findings and recommendations.”