No action against police who Tasered dad at Stretford petrol station
No action is being taken against police officers who Tasered a man seven times in front of his 5-year-old son at a Stretford petrol station.
No action is being taken against police officers who Tasered a man seven times in front of his 5-year-old son at a Stretford petrol station in May 2020.
Footage of the incident sparked anti-racism protests after it was widely shared on social media.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded the evidence "did not suggest that an officer may have acted in a way that justified disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence".
Officers suspected the driver, who was travelling with a five-year-old boy in the passenger seat, was intoxicated and he did not comply when they attempted to breathalyse him. The incident escalated when police attempted to arrest the man, which resulted in a Taser being discharged seven times.
During the investigation, the police watchdog obtained statements from the officers involved and an eyewitness and examined footage from the officers’ body-worn video, CCTV and social media. We also consulted an expert in the use of Taser for their opinion on the tactics used.
The investigation did highlight that improvements could be made to the policies and training in place relating to the use of Taser.
The IOPC also considered whether the complainant’s ethnicity influenced the way the incident was handled, including analysis of the officers’ previous use of force and complaints against them.
They found no evidence to suggest the complainant’s ethnicity was a factor in the decision to use force against him.
IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe said: “Police use of Taser is an area of serious concern for our communities and we recognise the potential for incidents like this to damage public confidence in the police. This was a very distressing situation that was filmed and shared widely online.
“The officers told us they honestly believed they faced the threat of violence and acted accordingly. While we found no evidence their actions were not in line with force and national policies, we believe work is needed to update and improve those policies so that there is greater clarity about when Tasers should be used.
“We have contacted the complainant to explain our findings and will be speaking to members of the local community in light of the significant impact this incident had. We will be publishing our report and learning recommendations in due course.”
'The officers did what I would expect of them'
Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Watson, said officers took the right action in stopping the vehicle, adding that they made decisions under what very difficult circumstances.
"They faced resistance from the driver involved, their response was measured and resulted in a successful conviction.
"The presence of an innocent child in this scenario is particularly regrettable, although this too is due to the actions of the offending motorist. The officers took immediate steps to care for the child and took him to a family member's home to be looked after. Where our officers misbehave they will be held accountable but when they are doing their duty professionally they deserve our respect and support.
"Whilst we accept the IOPC has made some comment in relation to GMP policies and training, it is always important to refresh and review operational training, and the support we provide to officers, and I will ensure these important matters are subject to ongoing and detailed scrutiny."