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Magistrate criticises ACT police for Tasering disabled Aboriginal woman during arrest
A magistrate has criticised ACT police for using a Taser on Emma, an Aboriginal woman with an intellectual disability, during a routine arrest in Canberra. He described the officers’ actions as “exceedingly heavy-handed”, saying footage showed her sitting with her hands raised and offering no resistance. The case has raised concerns about how police respond to people with cognitive disabilities.
Police had been called over reports that Emma had a knife, but officers found two pairs of scissors, one broken, in a nearby backpack. Seven officers were present; after Emma was pulled to the ground, an officer activated a Taser against her back in “drive stun” mode. Emma pleaded guilty to possessing a knife without reasonable excuse and was convicted; other charges were withdrawn. A civil claim alleges an officer’s misleading statements led to more serious charges and Emma spending 28 days in custody before being granted bail.
In short
- A magistrate called police use of a Taser exceedingly heavy-handed.
- Emma has an intellectual disability and traumatic brain injury.
- A civil claim alleges misleading evidence led to 28 days in custody.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “‘Exceedingly heavy-handed’: ACT police criticised by magistrate for Tasering disabled Aboriginal woman”.