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Police Defend Taser Use in Confrontation with Teenagers
24 Jun
Summary
- Police reviewed footage after a clip of teenagers went viral.
- Force deemed use of force proportionate and necessary.
- Learning opportunity identified in de-escalation techniques.
South Yorkshire Police have publicly defended their use of force against a group of teenage girls, following the widespread circulation of a video clip online. The footage appeared to show officers shoving, hitting, and drawing Tasers during an incident in Rotherham over the weekend. This led the force to conduct a comprehensive review of all available evidence.
After examining body-worn video and officer accounts, South Yorkshire Police concluded that the use of force was proportionate, necessary, and justified for the safety of all involved. However, they acknowledged "an opportunity for learning around de-escalation" in their approach.
The force noted that the viral clip represented only a fraction of a longer police response to a 999 call about a significant fight. They recognized that viewing the clip in isolation could understandably raise concerns within the community.
To ensure accountability and transparency, South Yorkshire Police proactively requested an independent peer review from another police force, despite the incident not meeting national criteria for an independent assessment. This review corroborated the force's initial findings.
