The judge said Adsett established he was authorized to enforce the law, that he acted on reasonable grounds, and that he was permitted to use as much force as is necessary for that purpose.

The Taser is a single shot device designed to temporarily  incapacitate a subject through the use of an electrical current. It allows officers to deal with violent situations where they need the use of force to protect themselves, the public or the subject themselves. Its distinct yellow and black design makes it clearly identifiable as a Taser and differentiates it from firearms.

Taserfor women

The West Midlands Police follow the Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing. This can be found here.

Davidson concluded Adsett did assault Beaver, but that his actions were protected under Section 25 of the Criminal Code, which governs use of force by police officers

X26TASER

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“There was nothing in Mr. Beaver’s demeanour that would suggest any need for force,” Davidson said, adding Beaver deserved to be treated with “more compassion, respect and dignity” by the other officers involved.

Stun gun vsTaser

Davidson said, in hindsight, Adsett was mistaken in his assessment of the situation. However, he noted police are entitled to make mistakes in fast-moving situations like the Beaver arrest, “so long as they are honest ones.”

Davidson concluded Adsett did assault Beaver, but that his actions were protected under Section 25 of the Criminal Code, which governs use of force by police officers.

How does aTaserfeel

Davidson nonetheless noted Beaver suffered an “assaultive” arrest despite following police direction and showing “the compliance one would expect of a respectful citizen confronted by police officers.”

As Beaver neared Ritchie Market, he noticed a blacked-out SUV that appeared to be following him. He grew paranoid and said he thought he was about to get “jumped.” Beaver pulled out a can of bear spray from where he carried it at his side.

Two uniformed officers then exited the unmarked SUV and identified themselves as police. One drew his pistol and pointed it at Beaver as he walked down the alley beside Transcend Coffee. A security camera captured the entire arrest, showing Beaver raising his hands and lying prone on the ground as the officers approached.

Davidson disagreed. He said Adsett had no way of knowing how the encounter with Beaver began when he arrived. Instead, he was confronted by two officers struggling with an apparently resistant man.

When he later watched the surveillance video of the entire arrest, Adsett was “disheartened” to see Beaver had complied with police directions and only appeared to be resisting due to the way the other officers were manipulating his body.

Only conducted energy devices manufactured by Taser International are currently authorised for use by police forces in England and Wales. The West Midlands Police use the Taser X26 and X2.

Can ataserkill you

Const. Dustin Adsett was found not guilty Tuesday after Court of King’s Bench Justice Kent Davidson concluded Adsett’s decision to fire his Taser into Lee Van Beaver’s back as he lay on the ground beneath two other officers was not excessive and protected under Section 25 of the Criminal Code.

Davidson ultimately found both Adsett and Beaver were credible witnesses. He faulted Beaver on only a few points, including his claim he had placed the bear spray on the ground when he surrendered to police — a claim Beaver admitted was incorrect after being shown the surveillance video.

Court heard the officers were in the area after the EPS helicopter spotted someone checking car doors in the neighbourhood, though it was later established Beaver was not that person. Beaver had outstanding warrants, but none of the officers knew this when they decided to arrest him.

TASERself defense

Davidson concluded by saying there were nevertheless “elements of this case that are deeply disturbing,” in particular how Beaver was treated at the outset of the arrest.

Taserprice

Each time an officer deploys a Taser, the incident is recorded and a report is sent to the Home Office. West Midlands Police are committed to transparency and will be regularly publishing information relating to Taser use within the force. Below are a number of definitions which will help to explain common terminology relating to Taser use.

Adsett, a member of the tactical team, arrived a short time later in a separate vehicle and found the two officers grappling with Beaver underneath them. He armed himself with a Taser and asked the officers if Beaver was resisting. He got no response from either officer and smelled bear spray in the air, so he fired the Taser into Beaver’s back.

The bear spray in the air heightened the tension. Davidson concluded the spray remained in Beaver’s pocket and went off accidentally during the struggle with police.

Beaver was arrested on March 23, 2021, while walking to a friend’s home in Ritchie. Beaver told court he planned to visit a family member on the north side and wanted to pick up a bike from the friend because it was late and the LRT had stopped running.

Adsett testified in his own defence. He told court he arrived to find a chaotic scene centred on what appeared to be a man resisting arrest.