Two police officers who tasered a man on a petrol filling station forecourt in front of his five year old son last summer will not face any further action.

The Independent Police complaints commission found that 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 on Chester Road escalated when police attempted to arrest the man, which resulted in a Taser being discharged seven times and was shared across social media at the time

The IOPC said that the evidence did not suggest that an officer may have acted in a way that justified disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence, however, the investigation highlighted several areas of learning for force and the officers involved in the incident.

These include improvements to the policies and training in place relating to the use of Taser.

They 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.

However 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.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: “The officers did what I would expect of them in stopping the vehicle and they conducted themselves professionally and proportionately. They made decisions under what were clearly 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 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.”

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