Police 'justified' in shooting knife-wielding teen with Taser

A police officer who fired a Taser at a knife-wielding teenager was “justified” in his actions, a watchdog has found.

The firearms officer discharged the device at the 19-year-old after being called to a large-scale disturbance involving several men fighting with knives.

Police received a number of calls reporting that people had been injured.

The incident happened in Dumfries shortly after 10pm on May 29, when coronavirus regulations were in force.

On being confronted by the armed teen, who shortly before had been involved in the mass fight, a specially trained officer (STO) fired his Taser in belief he was in “imminent danger”, but missed.

The teenager then threw the knife at the officer, striking him on the shoulder.

The STO discharged his Taser again, which had an immediate effect. The teen was then arrested and later reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) investigated the incident as is standard procedure for police use of a firearm.

Investigators examined statements from civilian and police witnesses, command and control logs, airwave radio transmissions and telephone recordings.

The investigators concluded that use of the Taser was “necessary, proportionate and justified”.

In a report, Pirc stated: “On arrival, police officers were confronted by a man carrying a knife who shortly before had been reported as being involved in a serious incident involving several people.

“Before the officers could instruct the man to drop the knife, he moved towards the STO, who believing that he was in imminent danger, discharged his Taser at him.

“The initial discharge missed the man who then threw the knife at the officer striking him on the shoulder. The officer discharged his Taser again which had an immediate effect.

“The use of Taser to control the man and enable his arrest was necessary, proportionate and justified.”