Police use Taser on blind man after stick mistaken for sword

**Standard Dave** · 10-17-12, 07:37 AM

BBC News - Police use Taser on blind man after stick mistaken for sword

A police force has apologised after an officer used a Taser on a blind man whose white stick was mistaken for a sword.
The man was stunned by police following reports of a man walking through Chorley with a samurai sword on Friday.
Ch Supt Stuart Williams, of Lancashire Police, said the force deeply regrets" and had "clearly put this man through a traumatic experience".
The man was taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged.
The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A man carrying a samurai sword was later arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

**Jks9199** · 10-17-12, 08:28 AM

While I'm concerned that the cane was mistaken for the sword (use, manner of carry, even appearance are rather different! Unless you're talking about the Zaitochi movies...), the key to me is this:

"Despite asking the man to stop, he failed to do so and the officer discharged his Taser."

Had the guy simply stopped and obeyed the officer's commands, I doubt he'd have been Tased.

**Captain America** · 10-17-12, 10:28 AM

The man was taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged.

**Xiphos** · 10-17-12, 05:15 PM

Did the blind man realize the cop was talking to him? If he did realize he was being spoken to, did he really know it was a cop and not a robbery?

I've seen blind people walking in public. I think I know the difference between that and a belligerent drunk, or sword wielding maniac. Poor observational skills, and bad judgment.

**keith720** · 10-17-12, 06:16 PM

I'm sure Motorway is envious! He NEVER got to use his Taser!

**Motorwaycop** · 10-18-12, 04:52 PM

Because I exercised restraint dear boy.

That and the fact it requires several forms to be filled out should you discharge said taser.

**Tango Zulu 22** · 10-18-12, 05:07 PM

A non compliant subject answering the description of the alleged offender and you are well within the 21 foot range of said X26 thus putting yourself within the attack range of the offender.

If he makes an aggressive move, do you react first or wait to have to wait to counter him?

Remember action beats reaction.

You don't have a gun an probably cannot safely disengage.

None of us were there but as usual, the officer is guilty without trial.

Makes me glad I don't carry anymore.

Please do not base your 9.00am shudder squad deductions on what the BBC puts out.

As an aside, why was a taser officer sent in the first place, should have been an armed response.

This in itself would warrant a fully documented firearms debrief as it shows a failure of the command structure.

**keith720** · 10-18-12, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

Because I exercised restraint dear boy.

That and the fact it requires several forms to be filled out should you discharge said taser.

I'm thinking that if you'd have had the opportunity, that the "discharge" from the taser wouldn't have been the only one!

**Standard Dave** · 10-19-12, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Tango Zulu 22

As an aside, why was a taser officer sent in the first place, should have been an armed response.

You've met some of the control room insp before haven't you

**Tango Zulu 22** · 10-19-12, 01:54 PM

Too bloody right.

Very few of them turned up at Firearms Training for the tactics sessions, those who did were generally good to work with, then there was the rest of them.......

**Trojan 42** · 10-19-12, 06:04 PM

Sorry Tango, but I have to disagree. As a National Firearms Instructor Instructor, I'd certainly question why it was necessary to use a taser so early and I would definitely question the suitability of that officer to remain authorised.

**Motorwaycop** · 10-20-12, 07:57 AM

It became common practice if an ARV was not nearby to send taser only officers to reports of offender with bladed weapon here.

**Standard Dave** · 10-21-12, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

It became common practice if an ARV was not nearby to send taser only officers to reports of offender with bladed weapon here.

I'd be happy to have taser only officers for a kitchen knife (we don't have any proper deployable response resourse with taser it's still an ARV and gucci little squad skill here) but we usually got ARVs especially when you question the size of the blade and asked for PSU tactics

**Motorwaycop** · 10-21-12, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Trojan 42

I would definitely question the suitability of that officer to remain authorised.

I don't think there can be much doubt he will be not be authorised to carry taser in the future.

On the other hand he sounds an ideal candidate for firearms. Seems a level headed sort of chap!

**Rhino** · 10-21-12, 10:42 PM

Not saying it's the case here, but I'm starting to see more and more young cops hug that TASER when a more personable approach would have worked just as well.

I remember backing up two officers on a brief vehicle chase. The driver was DUI. The two officers stood there with their TASERs drawn yelling commands. Dummy was so effed up he could barely stand, let alone understand what we being screamed at him. I told them to try not to tase me as I walked up, proned they guy out from his car and cuffed him.

The TASER is a nice tool to have. But if it's all you know, good luck when the day comes it malfunctions.

**lewisipso** · 10-22-12, 01:30 AM

Although all tools are prone to malfunction the first tool that should be used in one's brain.

**Jks9199** · 10-22-12, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Not saying it's the case here, but I'm starting to see more and more young cops hug that TASER when a more personable approach would have worked just as well.

I remember backing up two officers on a brief vehicle chase. The driver was DUI. The two officers stood there with their TASERs drawn yelling commands. Dummy was so effed up he could barely stand, let alone understand what we being screamed at him. I told them to try not to tase me as I walked up, proned they guy out from his car and cuffed him.

The TASER is a nice tool to have. But if it's all you know, good luck when the day comes it malfunctions.

You make a very good point. The Taser is a tool -- and should be used when appropriate, like any other force option. That means when it's likely to provide control of the subject with the least chance of injury to either the subject or the officer. The case you describe is one where it's clear there was no real need for any force beyond hands. I used the Taser on a guy a month or so back; he told me he was an MMA fighter, had slipped the cuffs to front, and the Taser allowed us to control him with the least risk to us or him when he bucked and ran. Had we fought -- there was a good chance of injury. The Taser let me control him with almost no injury. Right tool, right time.

**Captain America** · 10-22-12, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Not saying it's the case here, but I'm starting to see more and more young cops hug that TASER when a more personable approach would have worked just as well.

I remember backing up two officers on a brief vehicle chase. The driver was DUI. The two officers stood there with their TASERs drawn yelling commands. Dummy was so effed up he could barely stand, let alone understand what we being screamed at him. I told them to try not to tase me as I walked up, proned they guy out from his car and cuffed him.

The TASER is a nice tool to have. But if it's all you know, good luck when the day comes it malfunctions.

These are all valid points. What you said and depts. that make stupid use of force policies where the officers must use a taser first before going hands on is why your getting all these negative taser stories about 80 year old grandmas being tasered. To me the taser should be used like a baton, a weapon of last resort that you use on a suspect after open hands is not working because the suspect is bigger , stronger or more skilled than you. It could be also used from a safe distant when a suspect is armed with an impact or edged weapon(make sure he's not feeling for a curb with his cane first) and threatening to use it and won't put the edge/impact weapon down after being ordered to do so. Period. End of story.

**pgg** · 10-22-12, 01:46 PM

a suspect with a blade has a lethal weapon in his hands. Why are we going to a less lethal use of force? It's a good way to get an officer killed

**Captain America** · 10-22-12, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by pgg

a suspect with a blade has a lethal weapon in his hands. Why are we going to a less lethal use of force? It's a good way to get an officer killed

Again we are gonna go with the Lew's using your brain as a weapon thingy. I did say if you were at safe distant . Of course you should have a cover officer ready to employ deadly force should the taser not work as advertised and the suspect decides to advance. No one believes more in having undead officers than me.