Watchdog clears police officers who tasered Dundee man in his flat

The 32-year-old was incapacitated by an armed officer using the conductive energy device at the property in Dundee on 7 July 2018.

The PIRC report published today found that officers from Police Scotland had been initially called to the flat at 9.50pm hours the previous evening following a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, officers quickly became aware that there were other people present in the flat.

The man reacted to the presence of the police by becoming aggressive and he threatened to stab anyone who came inside the flat. Officers then prevented anyone from entering or leaving the property and began to negotiate with him. They tried in vain for several hours to persuade the man to leave the flat. Eventually he became unresponsive, causing the officers to become concerned.

Armed officers then forced entry to re-establish communication with the man and ensure the safety of those inside the flat. At that time, one of the officers believed the man was going to get a weapon from the kitchen and the officer discharged a taser to stop him, striking him on the back.

The man was immediately incapacitated, removing any threat to those inside the flat and the police officers present. The man was then arrested and later pled guilty to a breach of the peace.

The report found that the actions of officers were necessary, proportionate and justified in the circumstances, to ensure the safety of all those involved.

The incident was referred to the PIRC by Police Scotland for independent investigation on 9 July 2018. The investigation examined how police handled the incident and the decision-making around the use of the taser. No recommendations were made.