A man who had been self-harming and had a knife held to his chest, has said he might not still be alive if police had not used Taser against him.
Police had gone to the man’s home in Limavady in November 2012, and found that he had cuts to his wrist and appeared likely to cause further self harm.
Taser was used against him, allowing officers to remove the knife before taking him to hospital for treatment.
All firearms incidents, including the use of Tasers, are referred by the Chief Constable to the Police Ombudsman for independent investigation.
If they hadn’t fired the Taser I believe I would have seriously injured myself or perhaps killed myself.
In a statement provided to Police Ombudsman investigators, the man who was struck by Taser said: “If they hadn’t fired the Taser I believe I would have seriously injured myself or perhaps killed myself.”
Examination of police records showed that the officer who used the Taser was properly trained to carry the weapon and authorised to use it during this incident.
Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire concluded that the use of the Taser during the incident had been lawful, proportionate and necessary.