Police officer's use of taser during arrest was 'unjustified' an investigation has found

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A Police officer's use of a taser during an arrest in Henderson has been found not justified by an investigation.

Police were not justified in tasering a man in the back as he fled to avoid being arrested, an investigation has found.

The finding released by the Independent Police Conduct Authority stated that on March 4, 2017, the man was seen speeding down the wrong side of a road. 

A police officer- referred to as 'Officer A' in the finding, was directed to the home by the Eagle helicopter, but when he arrived the man tried to hid from him behind a fence.

In a statement, the police said the officer was alone at the time and fearing for his safety, was unsure if the man had a weapon. 

The officer told the man to come out from hiding, but instead he fled in the direction of the parked police car. As he fled, the officer tasered him in the back.

This caused the man to fall face-forward onto the driveway. He suffered injuries to his face, and was knocked unconscious. 

The IPCA found the officer was justified in arresting the man for dangerous driving, but he was not justified in discharging his taser on the man.

Police policy requires an officer only uses their taser if the person is "assaultive" in a way that is "showing an intent to cause harm, expressed verbally or through body language or physical action".

Authority Chair, Judge Colin Doherty, said Officer A had other options available to him instead of choosing to discharge his taser.

"Although Officer A felt vulnerable, the behaviour displayed was not assaultive and [the man] was not presenting an immediate threat - Officer A had other options available to him."