Would it be too cynical to suggest that Sir Ian Blair's initial reservations about the use of tasers on terrorism suspects is in any way connected to the fact that his own force blew away an innocent man at close range just t'other day and the Met doesn't like to think there was an alternative course of action? Just my view, from afar.
I can see the logic that firing 50,000 volts into someone who might be connected to a bomb carries a certain risk. You also imagine that, if the bomb is that volatile, the bomber doesn't wear it around the house. Still, as Sir Ian himself also admits, we don't know enough about the circumstance of the Birmingham arrest. In fact, it looks like we don't know enough about quite a lot that the police are up to.
If you have any doubt that tasers are effective in immobilising people, or are wondering whether or not they should be part of the beat bobby's standard issue kit, check out this recording of a Miami traffic cop tasing a punter, from the Palm Beach Post.
Blog responsible viewing monitor bursts in the room.
Be warned, that's not very pleasant viewing. It is interesting. But not very pleasant.
