Use of force (including Taser) during restraint - Greater Manchester Police, December 2017

On 27 December 2017 Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers detained a man after he had been to two different police stations and was seen to behave erratically, appearing ‘edgy’ and being possibly under the influence of drugs. On the same day, officers decided to detain the man under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). He was then taken to a mental health unit and placed in a room while awaiting assessment. It was reported that the man was trying to kick his way out of the room he had been placed in, and a request was made for more officers to attend.

Information suggested that the man appeared to be having a mental health episode and to be very violent. It was decided that hospital staff would sedate the man, but officers would need to assist due to his level of violence.

There were two teams of three public order trained officers present at the scene and two Taser-trained staff. Officers conducted a risk assessment and requested more patrols. This request was refused. Following further assessment by medical staff, the man was detained under section 2 of the MHA.

Officers entered the room. Body-worn video footage (BWV) shows that the two teams of officers with shields attempted to restrain the man. The man broke through the shields and the two Taser officers discharged their Tasers. He was Tasered for a total of 48 seconds. The man was then placed in handcuffs and restraints and transferred to a seclusion room for medical assessment.

This incident was referred to us by GMP as a conduct matter.

During the investigation, we served three officers with notices of investigation. We interviewed all three under the misconduct caution. One officer was criminally interviewed.

The officers who deployed their Taser provided rationale for their deployment of Tasers and for their decision making before deployment.

Officers appear to have followed the tactics agreed upon before they entered the room. The man was successfully restrained, transferred to a more secure room and received appropriate medical treatment. The investigation gathered no evidence of any injuries caused to the man as a result of the use of Taser or the restraint.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence.