Graphic video of man Tasered in Australia sparks debate over the use of the stun guns

Graphic Tasering video in Australia ignites debate

SYDNEY — Graphic video of police repeatedly stunning an unarmed man with a Taser has helped restart a debate about whether stun guns are being overused by authorities in Australia.

Western Australia state police said the incident was totally unacceptable, and not typical of Taser use by the force. State Premier Colin Barnett has dubbed it a major breach of procedure and demanded a review of Taser guidelines.

The video’s release also comes amid questions in eastern Australia over the death of a Sydney man Monday after police stunned him in the chest with a Taser.

Closed-circuit video footage of the Western Australia incident was released publicly on Monday, when the state’s crime commission introduced a report to state parliament that cited the August 2008 case as an example of police officers wrongfully using a stun gun.

In the video, an unarmed man who refused to undergo a strip search in a Perth detention facility is shown screaming in apparent agony after being zapped with a stun gun eight times while surrounded by nine police officers. He was stunned another five times off-camera.

Police held an internal inquiry after that incident and fined two senior constables 1,200 Australian dollars ($1,148) and AU$750 for using excessive force.

The crime commission’s report says Tasers are increasingly being used to force alleged offenders to comply with orders. The report recommends that stun guns only be used when there is an imminent threat of serious injury.

Barnett said he watched the video on Monday and thought the nine officers could have restrained the man in a less extreme way.

“It was excessive use of a Taser that could not be justified,” he said. “I think anyone seeing that footage would find it totally unacceptable.”

Western Australia Acting Police Commissioner Chris Dawson agreed the actions were uncalled for.

“It was wrong, it’s unacceptable, it was alarming when I looked at it and it’ll be alarming when the public view it,” Dawson said.

In New South Wales, meanwhile, officials were under fire following Monday’s death of a suspect who had been stunned with a Taser.

Police said the man was armed with two knives and attempting to break into a Sydney house when officers arrived. The man lost consciousness shortly after being stunned and died later at a hospital. A coroner will determine the cause of death.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione defended the officers’ actions.

“In a split second, the officers made a decision, which I believe, may have saved their lives,” he said Tuesday. “Had (the officer) not been successful, I certainly believe the consequences could have been tragic for one or both of the officers involved.”