First PSNI Taser Use 'Justified'

The North's Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson has deemed the first use of a PSNI Taser stun gun as "justified and proportionate".

Officers tasered 38-year-old Declan Smith in Derry last August.

It was alleged he had locked himself inside a house with his two children.

Mr Smith was cleared of making threats to kill last month, after complaints were withdrawn.

Mr Hutchinson described the police's use of the taser gun as "successful".

"The use of a Taser represented a less lethal option compared to the potential use of live fire or impact (baton) rounds at close range," he said.

"Unlike handheld batons, it allowed officers to maintain a safe distance from a suspect they believed was armed with a knife."

When a taser is fired two wires are attach to the recipients body and administer an electric shock.

UUP Policing Board member Basil McCrea said Mr Hutchinson's report was a "clear vindication" of taser usage.

However, Sinn Féin and the SDLP earlier claimed the use of the Taser gun was not justified.

According to the Ombudsman, officers responded to a call from a distressed women at around 3am.

She said her drunk partner had locked himself in a house armed with a knife, and had threatened to kill their two young children, who were inside.

Officers tried and failed to make contact with Mr Smith. He was exiting the back of the house after 6.30am when he was tasered.

After being struck with the stun gun, he fell to the ground. Officers then restrained the man.

The officer who discharged the taser said he was concerned for the safety of the children, and claimed Mr Smith had been drinking and was in an agitated state.

Mr Hutchinson said witness statements broadly supported the PSNI officer's assessment.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Smith, who has been cleared of all charges, said he was woken in the middle of the night to find his house surrounded by armed police.

"I couldn't comprehend what was happening. It was very hard to take in. I kept asking why and I was getting no answers from the police."

(PR/BMcC)