Caught on video: Shocking moment unarmed man is Tasered by British cop then kicked to the floor 'for shoplifting'

A suspect was filmed being kicked by a police officer after receiving a 1,200 volt shock from a Taser.

Police have launched an internal investigation after dramatic footage emerged of the male police officer appearing to forcefully kick the man from behind while he was falling to the ground face-first.

He was then heard shouting ‘put your hands up’ - despite the suspect on Brighton seafront in East Sussex being unable to move, because he was disorientated and surrounded by three more officers.

Sussex Police are now carrying out an investigation following the emergence of the footage, which was shot by a passer-by who watched the dramatic scene unfold as he was walking to the shops.

The man, a local businessman who asked not to be named, said: ‘You could see that he clearly had some issues as he started taking his clothes off [when surrounded by officers].

‘There was a lot of shouting and he was saying he had been Tasered before. What concerned me was not the shouting, but the kick that the police officer gave him. ‘He was already going down but to be kicked like that while being Tasered is quite concerning.’

The witness claimed that despite standing on a public highway, a police officer asked him to stop filming. When he carried on, the officer then allegedly stood in his way to block the view.

The incident took place at about 6:30pm on Friday. Police were called after reports that a member of staff at a nearby Sainsbury’s had been had been pushed to the ground by a suspected shoplifter.

Officers pursued the man they thought was the offender and claimed it was necessary to Taser him in order to make a ‘safe arrest’.

Sussex Police said the Tasered man was arrested on suspicion of theft and obstructing officers before receiving health and welfare checks to ensure that he was unharmed.

A force spokesman said he was later released on police bail until July 26 while enquiries continue.

She added: ‘The video has now been referred to our professional standards department who examine it thoroughly, along with the full facts surrounding the incident, including what occurred before the actions shown in the video.

‘It is important that we establish a detailed account of events from all available sources, as well as this video clip, before deciding on any further action.

‘All suggestions of police misconduct are taken seriously and are carefully assessed, and action is taken whenever appropriate.’

Sussex Police was handed the footage by the Brighton Argus newspaper.

Original report here




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