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The deadly history of the Taser may bring its use into question once again The deadly history of the Taser may bring its use into question once again
(about 4 hours later)
Police have argued that it is an important tool and used only as a last resort, but campaigners have complained that the Taser can all too easily become a deadly weapon, while the police watchdog has warned against its overuse.Police have argued that it is an important tool and used only as a last resort, but campaigners have complained that the Taser can all too easily become a deadly weapon, while the police watchdog has warned against its overuse.
The death of a man who was Tasered on Monday by officers from Staffordshire police – the force that has discharged the controversial weapon more than any other – will bring its use into question once again.The death of a man who was Tasered on Monday by officers from Staffordshire police – the force that has discharged the controversial weapon more than any other – will bring its use into question once again.
In 2013, in one of the most notorious cases, Andrew Pimlott died of severe burns after being Tasered when officers responded to reports that he had doused himself in a flammable liquid. Pimlott was said to be holding a lighted match when an officer discharged his Taser.In 2013, in one of the most notorious cases, Andrew Pimlott died of severe burns after being Tasered when officers responded to reports that he had doused himself in a flammable liquid. Pimlott was said to be holding a lighted match when an officer discharged his Taser.
The officer who fired the weapon at the 32-year-old was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over allegations of manslaughter, gross negligence and misconduct in a public office.The officer who fired the weapon at the 32-year-old was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over allegations of manslaughter, gross negligence and misconduct in a public office.
A file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but in October it said there insufficient evidence to prosecute and the officer faced no criminal charges. The officer would, however, face gross misconduct proceedings.A file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but in October it said there insufficient evidence to prosecute and the officer faced no criminal charges. The officer would, however, face gross misconduct proceedings.
In 2011, the deaths of two members of the public within days of each other prompted debate about Taser use.In 2011, the deaths of two members of the public within days of each other prompted debate about Taser use.
Philip Hulmes, 53, became the second person to die after he was Tasered at his home in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Police said he had threatened officers with a knife, and only at that point did it become apparent he had already stabbed himself.Philip Hulmes, 53, became the second person to die after he was Tasered at his home in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Police said he had threatened officers with a knife, and only at that point did it become apparent he had already stabbed himself.
At the time of his death in August that year, the Independent Police Complaints Commission was already investigating two other uses of a Taser that had ended with the death of a member of the public. At the time of his death in August that year, the Independent Police Complaints Commission was already investigating one other use of a Taser that had ended with the death of a member of the public.
A coroner found that the death of 27-year-old Dale Burns, who was Tasered and pepper-sprayed by officers from Cumbria police around a week earlier, was caused by the use of the drug Madcat, rather than police action.A coroner found that the death of 27-year-old Dale Burns, who was Tasered and pepper-sprayed by officers from Cumbria police around a week earlier, was caused by the use of the drug Madcat, rather than police action.
In July 2010, after a week-long search, Raoul Moat was cornered near the town of Rothbury, in Northumberland. Moat had shot his ex-girlfriend and her new lover, killing the latter. He then went on to shoot police officer David Rathband in the west end of Newcastle. Rathband was blinded and later took his own life.In July 2010, after a week-long search, Raoul Moat was cornered near the town of Rothbury, in Northumberland. Moat had shot his ex-girlfriend and her new lover, killing the latter. He then went on to shoot police officer David Rathband in the west end of Newcastle. Rathband was blinded and later took his own life.
Officers fired Tasers at him – a model an inquest heard they had never used before – and the weapon Moat was holding went off, killing him.Officers fired Tasers at him – a model an inquest heard they had never used before – and the weapon Moat was holding went off, killing him.
However, the device has not always been used by police on suspected offenders. On 13 August 2010, an officer was accidentally Tasered by his own colleague after first pepper spraying himself.However, the device has not always been used by police on suspected offenders. On 13 August 2010, an officer was accidentally Tasered by his own colleague after first pepper spraying himself.