Man tasered during arrest in the presence of a child – Greater Manchester Police, May 2020

Greater Manchester Police · Ref: 2020/135685

Recommendation date: 17 December 2021

Response due: 11 February 2022

Published: 12 April 2022

Use of force and armed policing

On 6 May 2020, Greater Manchester police officers arrested a man on a petrol station forecourt for road traffic offences. Officers suspected the driver, who was travelling with a five-year-old boy in the passenger seat, was intoxicated and he did not comply when they attempted to breathalyse him. The incident escalated when police attempted to arrest the man, which resulted in a Taser being discharged seven times. We investigated complaints made on behalf of the man. The evidence obtained examined the ‘use of force’ tactics employed by the officers and whether the man’s ethnic background resulted in less favourable treatment. During the investigation, we obtained statements from the officers involved and an eyewitness and examined footage from the officers’ body-worn video, CCTV and social media. We also consulted an expert in the use of Taser for their opinion on the tactics used. Our investigation concluded in May 2021. We waited …

View on IOPC website

Recommendations (5)

Recommendation 1 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) review their Conductive Energy Device (CED) policy to clarify, expand upon and improve existing guidance in the public domain, particularly in relation to addressing a potential public perception that Taser is only … Read more

Force Response

Accepted action: GMP accepts the below recommendations made following this IOPC independent investigation; GMP no longer use the Conductive Energy Device (Taser) Policy and have written a new TASER Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which is awaiting sign off by the … Read more

Recommendation 2 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police include a learning point in local training for officers equipped with Taser, in relation to considerations when a child is present during an incident where Taser is used. This is to enable officers … Read more

Force Response

Accepted action: Gary Wedge who is the Taser curriculum lead at the College of Policing has re-written the J3 module "Dealing with Vulnerable People" to include the learning from this incident and therefore fully adopting the IOPC recommendation. This new … Read more

Recommendation 3 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) update the section of their Conductive Energy Device (Taser) policy so that it is clear when it might be appropriate to use Taser in an environment where there is a flammable substance, … Read moreThe IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) update the section of their Conductive Energy Device (Taser) policy so that it is clear when it might be appropriate to use Taser in an environment where there is a flammable substance, such as the forecourt of a petrol station; ensuring that the wording is clear and unambiguous and to prevent interpretation issues or restriction of officers’ decision making. This follows an independent investigation where a man was Tasered seven times on the forecourt of a petrol station, once whilst standing and six times on the ground. The GMP Operational Use of Conductive Energy Devices (X26 taser] Policy dated December 2017 states that taser should not be used ‘where there is a risk of flammability’ and refers to an increased risk ‘where the subject’s clothing is doused with other flammable liquids , e.g. lighter fuel, petrol and strong alcoholic spirits’. The GMP policy states ‘These heightened risks must be considered when assessing the ‘appropriateness’ and ‘necessity’ of using the CED’. The College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) in relation to conducted energy devices (Taser) refers to ‘risk factors’ that ‘may influence the operational use of CEDs’ The list of factors includes ‘flammable material (eg, petrol, CS irritant spray)’ and ‘explosive environments (eg, petrol vapour, propane, natural gas)’. APP encourages scenario-based training in the use of CEDs be conducted in a way that emphasises the precautions and considerations relevant to such risk factors. Petrol is a highly flammable liquid which can give off highly flammable vapour, even at very low temperatures. Ignition of petrol vapours can happen if vapour comes into contact with a heat source or ignition spark. Petrol vapour is heavier than air and tends to sink to the lowest possible level of its surroundings, and will travel across the ground due to gravity or may be carried in the direction of the wind. This means there is always a risk of fire or explosion if a source of ignition is present. In this case there was no ignition or explosion. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes Show less

Force Response

Accepted action: The new Standard Operating Procedure which is awaiting final sign off does now include a section making it clear when it might be appropriate to use Taser in an environment where there are risk factors. This is in … Read more

Recommendation 4 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police take steps to ensure that officers’ decision-making and their policing response is not being unreasonably impacted by stereotypical assumptions about the strength and threat posed by individuals from a Black, Asian or minority … Read more

Force Response

Accepted action: Since 2020 all Specially Trained Officers (STO's) attending both the initial and refresher taser course in GMP watch a film produced by GMP's Corporate Communications Branch which was produced with the support of BAPA (Black and Asian Police … Read moreAccepted action: Since 2020 all Specially Trained Officers (STO's) attending both the initial and refresher taser course in GMP watch a film produced by GMP's Corporate Communications Branch which was produced with the support of BAPA (Black and Asian Police Association). The film is designed to give officers a perspective of other diverse cultures, explores disproportionality, use of force including Taser and considers perspectives of police tactics from members of the public. This recommendation has been subject to discussion at the PSB Organisational Learning Board chaired by the Head of PSB, the Force Strategic Organisational Learning Board chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable and the Force Diversity Equality and Inclusion Board chaired by the Chief Constable. The Head of PSB has also met with the chair of the GMP Black and Asian Police Association and other executive members of the Executive Board. Their recommendation was that the Force should consider engaging with a prominent individual who has worked with the Metropolitan Police Service on similar projects and is seen as an expert in this area. As a result of the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Board held on 31/1/22 actions were allocated as follows : To the Director of people and Development - Consider this IOPC recommendation from a Force Training perspective. Consider the engagement of a prominent individual who has worked with the Metropolitan Police Service to assist. Design a Force Training Response to this recommendation and deliver via the Force Training Commissioning Group. To the Director of Strategic Resourcing - Consider this IOPC recommendation from a Force Recruitment perspective and how future changes to the GMP recruitment process can bring about improvements in this area.These actions will be tracked via the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Board. The Head of Profession for GMP's Neighbourhood, Confidence and Equality Team has also been engaged and is considering an appropriate long term piece of work in identified communities. Yours sincerely Detective Chief Superintendent Chadwick Professional Standards Branch. Show less

Recommendation 5 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that the College of Policing include a learning point in national training for officers equipped with Taser, in relation to considerations when a child is present during an incident where Taser is used. This is to enable … Read more

Force Response

Accepted action: I write on behalf of the College of Policing (the College) in relation to the recommendation made under Paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002 to the College dated the 17th December 2021. Your … Read moreAccepted action: I write on behalf of the College of Policing (the College) in relation to the recommendation made under Paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002 to the College dated the 17th December 2021. Your recommendation states: The IOPC recommends that the College of Policing include a learning point in national training for officers equipped with Taser, in relation to considerations when a child is present during an incident where Taser is used. This is to enable officers to consider the potential impact on the child, together with alternative tactics as part of the overall risk assessment and National Decision Model in a training environment. I understand a similar recommendation has been made to Greater Manchester Police in respect of local training. The College is the independent professional body supporting everyone working in policing to reduce crime and keep people safe. The College has three complimentary functions; As set out in the Code of Practice on Armed Policing and Police use of Less Lethal Weapons 2020, the College produces a national curriculum, and associated learning products, for specially trained officers (Taser trained officers). These products are subject to review by the College in order to ensure that organisational learning is appropriately reflected. Chief officers must ensure that the selection, training and accreditation of officers identified within the Code meets the requirements of the curriculum. Having considered your recommendation as part of the current review, module J3 of the curriculum, and its associated learning products, has been revised and now includes the considerations and potential implications of Taser use in the presence of a child. All of the updated training material is scheduled to be launched in early March 2022 and disseminated to all UK police forces (including Greater Manchester Police), with a view to being implemented in the new training new commencing 1st April 2022. The College is committed to continuing our work with forces, the NPCC and other agencies to maintain high standards in respect of the police use of Taser. I would like to thank you for bringing this recommendation to my attention. I trust this letter meets the requirements of Paragraph 28B of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002. I have no concerns in relation to publication of my response. Yours sincerelyChief Constable Andy Marsh QPMChief Executive OfficerCollege of Policing Show less