Brighton Taser-use case 'no evidence of misconduct'

A Sussex Police investigation into the use of a Taser on a man by an officer has uncovered no evidence of misconduct.

The inquiry began after a video appearing to show an officer kicking a man who had been Tasered was passed to the force by The Argus newspaper.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) considered the case before passing it back to the force.

The incident happened in Western Road, Brighton, on 5 July.

Sussex Police's Professional Standards Department carried out the subsequent investigation.

The force said an account from a member of the public who saw what happened, an interview with the man who was Tasered, footage from cameras worn by the officers involved and a statement from a safety trainer were used as evidence.

Taser 'not effective'

Supt Steve Whitton said the officers had been arresting a man who had allegedly committed a violent offence and was "showing signs of aggression".

"The sweeping strike to the leg, a technique taught to all officers as a tactic to achieve control, was used in this case because the suspect had not fallen to the ground after the Taser had been deployed," he said.

"The officer thought that the Taser had not been effective and that the suspect posed an immediate risk both to the officers and the wider public.

"I appreciate that the circumstances of this arrest, carried out in a very public place, may have looked extremely dramatic and very physical, especially when viewed on video.

"However, officers are carefully trained to use the minimum force necessary to resolve a situation as quickly as possible reducing the risk to the public, the person being arrested and the officers themselves."