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Posted by: Cinderella

Constable zaps himself and innocent teen with Taser




http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectid=10411372




A constable who took a Taser to a central Auckland domestic dispute wound up shocking himself and a 16-year-old and later pepper-spraying an innocent 21-year-old woman.

The constable accidentally blasted himself with the Taser's 50,000 volts as he reloaded the weapon while trying to stun a man at the centre of the domestic incident on October 1. One shot accidentally struck the man's teenage son.

After five attempts to hit the man, the officer eventually used pepper spray. This hit the man's 21-year-old daughter, also an unintended target.

The man eventually gave himself up. The constable, who had had Taser training, was not injured.

The weapon is the police's much-vaunted alternative to firearms and is being tested by 170 frontline police in Auckland and Wellington.

Police revealed details of the incident after Weekend Herald inquiries.

Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand of Auckland City police confirmed that the constable fired the Taser five times - three times loaded with cartridges and twice in "contact" mode, where it is used like a cattle prod. The first shot hit the son.

Mr Hollewand said the officer claimed that just as the red laser sight was on the man's chest, he pulled his son across him.

It is believed that at one point the officer received a jolt after putting his hand in the Taser.

"The constable did remove one of the cartridges before a five-second discharge cycle was complete and he did feel in his hand that the device was arcing 50,000 volts."

But an official police update of the Taser trial, published on October 17, makes no mention of the constable firing five times, or missing his target, zapping himself or hitting the boy. It simply says a man was contained after the Taser was fired.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad also did not mention the incident when he appeared before a parliamentary committee, saying frontline officers supported the introduction of the weapon, and yesterday National Party police spokesman Simon Power wanted to know why.

Police media officer Jon Neilson said the fact a Taser had been fired more than once in a single incident was not "relevant".

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Posted by: Gil

Sounds like Keystone Cops but I can see it happening....

I zapped myself a few weeks ago, tazed the suspect and he dropped to the ground, while on his back and attempting to cuff him, he starts acting up again. I give him a few warnings and then administer a second shock. (note to self... do not kneel on the prong while pulling the trigger)

The funny part was it was at the end of a car chase in a busy area and about 30 people were watching as I zapped myself. While we were both getting zapped, I heard a lady behind me saying "I think the cop just tazed himself". I wonder if it was the body convulsions that gave it away or the fact that I dropped the tazer hmmm

Not something I want to do again anytime soon.

P.S. Thanks to the CAT team for providing the nights excitement...

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Posted by: Duff112

Gil-

I could see how that could happen. I'm sorry to say though I had a good laugh at your expense trying to visualize that scene.

Glad you're ok though.

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Posted by: CJIS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duff112 Gil- I could see how that could happen. I'm sorry to say though I had a good laugh at your expense trying to visualize that scene. Glad you're ok though.

Same here... good work though on getting the suspect.

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Posted by: SOT

I pay women in rubber suits to taze me.

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Posted by: Cinderella

lmao Sot

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Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

too much Gil!lol...ive seen guys using the oc though and the wind changed, dont that suck!

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Posted by: JoninNH

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOT_II I pay women in rubber suits to taze me.

Nothings better then the women with leather suits and cattle prods!!

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Posted by: Gil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duff112 Gil- I could see how that could happen. I'm sorry to say though I had a good laugh at your expense trying to visualize that scene. Glad you're ok though.

I still laugh about it, the guys at the station thought it was hilarious. It was a good night, mini car chase across state lines, foot chase, and Pawtucket ended up with most of the baggage (sorry guys). Plus a few hours OT looking for the second suspect that Seekonk ended up grabbing.

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