Police use of taser has come under scrutiny a number of times since I last touched on this topic because of several incidents which are or which would appear to be mental health related.
We know there are investigations ongoing in to the Chelsea Bridge incident in London, and that a criminal investigation has recently been declared for an incident at a tower block in Peckham. This morning I woke up and read news of a care home incident in New South Wales where a police officer has tasered a 95-year old dementia patient in possession of a knife. The officer who used the taser has since been suspended and charged with criminal offences after which it was sadly announced the lady had died. I suspect those charges will now have to be amended to something more serious like manslaughter, but that’s just my own speculation at this stage.
Taser is disproportionately used on those of us in distress in connection with our mental health and reviews will no doubt focus on the proportionality of those tactics being used in those circumstances.
Highlighted here as investigations worth following as they progress, for those interested in these topics. The outcomes will no doubt be replete with learning about the use of taser in mental health related incidents.
Winner of the President’s Medal,
the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Winner of the Mind Digital Media Award
All views expressed are my own – they do not represent the views of any organisation.
(c) Michael Brown, 2023
I try to keep this blog up to date, but inevitably over time, amendments to the law as well as court rulings and other findings from inquests and complaints processes mean it is difficult to ensure all the articles and pages remain current. Please ensure you check all legal issues in particular and take appropriate professional advice where necessary.
Government legislation website – www.legislation.gov.uk
Mental Health Cop 