GMP have used a taser on a male reportedly holding a knife. The male who was detained then died a short time later.
These are the facts – they are only, at the present time, linked by the fact that the same person is involved in both statements.
The death of anyone before their time is tragic, and I can only imagine the depths of grief that follow the loss of a child, however the temptation to immediately and solely blame the Police for the death will undoubtedly be irresistible to many. I wait with interest to see how long it takes for the Facebook Hate Pages to be published.
I have read a number of reports in respect of this incident and many of them state that the dead man, 23-year-old Jordan Begley, was in possession of a knife. This allegation is supported by the fact that witnesses claim that ‘he never intended using [it]‘ and separately that he was drunk at the time. These accounts are further supported by a statement from GMP Assistant Chief Constable, Garry Shewan, who disclosed that Police had attended in response to a 999 call regarding a disturbance involving a man in the street with a knife.
It has been suggested by a family friend that the catalyst for the incident resulting in the taser deployment and subsequent death was the belief that Jordan was responsible for the theft of a handbag.
Following the incident it is reported that Jordan suffered a medical episode and ultimately died. He was, however, seen by people who knew him prior to this episode. They recall him standing in the street talking to Police some time before being detained with assistance of taser. He is said to have engaged these passers-by in conversation and appeared well at that point.
According to a neighbour, Jordan had a heart condition. It is likely, based on previous investigations of death following Taser use, that his death is primarily as a result of that condition. That said, the link between the condition and use of the taser, along with the appropriateness of its use, will almost certainly be the main focus of subsequent investigations.
As I have already said, it is a tragedy that someone has died, but I have to wonder…
What if the handbag had not been stolen*
What if he had been sober*
What if the situation had not escalated following the initial calm conversation with Police*
What if he hadn’t chosen to pick up a knife*
If none of these factors had been present, would we have ever been in a situation where Taser was required? Would the medical condition have even been a factor? Would Jordan Begley still be alive?
According to published figures, out of the 10 deaths recorded after the use of a Taser, 8 were not caused by its use. The remaining two, including this incident are still under investigation.
*These are possible factors in the ultimate outcome of this incident – it has not yet been confirmed that any or all of these factors were present
