Police in Perth are investigating a case where officers accidentally set a 44-year-old man on fire after shooting him with a taser. The man has previously doused himself and his house with fuel and was threatening to light himself on fire. This is the second such case for the city’s police, here, in less than a year.
After spraying fuel everywhere, the man had told police that he was looking for a match. He didn’t need one. The police burst into the house and ignited the man with a taser. While I commend the officers for their bravery in going into a house filled with fuel and a crazed individual, it would seem obvious that shooting the fuel-covered suspect with a taser is not a good idea for suspect or the officers in the room. As bad as it was, it could have been much worse if the entire house caught fire.
He survived with burns over 20 percent of his body.
Department policies discourage the use of tasers in situations involving doused individuals or combustible elements.
We have also seen individuals burst into flames after being shot with tasers in this country, here.
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Superintendent Nigel White says the officers were facing a significant threat.
“There was no doubt that the officers had reason to go into the house, threats to burn the house down were made and also the officer had been doused with petrol so there was an assault there,” he said.
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Now why, if the officer was doused as well would they do this?
Maybe a 2 for 1 fire sale?
Methinks it was just a heat of the moment decision.
This shows what is being taught in some quaters regarding police and what some should know:
“What Do You Teach Your Kids about the Police?
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2009/07/25/what-do-you-teach-your-kids-about-the-police/
What-no pepper spray to put him out?
I would hate to be a police officer. They have to make decisions on a split seconds notice that are not only potentially life threatening but in the publics best interest.
“I would hate to be a police officer. They have to make decisions on a split seconds notice that are not only potentially life threatening but in the publics best interest.”
30 Cases of Extreme Police Brutality and Blatant Misconduct
http://brainz.org/30-cases-extreme-police-brutality-and-blatant-misconduct/