Officer Mocks Taser Incident on Facebook

A misconduct hearing is underway for two Sussex Police officers involved in an incident where a 92-year-old widower in a wheelchair was tasered. PC Rachel Comotto admitted it "doesn't look good" that she posted a joke on Facebook hours after the June 2022 event at Park Beck care home. She told the hearing her comment, which included a wink and lightning bolt emoji, was a continuation of office banter directed at her, not Mr. Burgess.

Bodycam footage showed officers calling police after a resident reportedly had a knife and threatened staff. PC Smith used a baton and Pava spray, after which PC Comotto deployed her taser. She stated this was to prevent a potentially more harmful baton strike. PC Comotto, who had been an officer for seven years and this was her first taser deployment, believed her action resolved the situation safely.

Despite the disciplinary hearing, both officers were previously acquitted of assault at Southwark Crown Court last year. The current proceedings do not allege the officers' actions contributed to Mr. Burgess's later passing from Covid and cardiac arrest. The hearing continues.