A PROBE into an incident in which a man was Tasered seven times has found police did not act in a way which suggested disciplinary action should be taken – but several "areas for learning" have been identified.

Part of the incident, which happened at a petrol station forecourt on Chester Road in Stretford on May 6 last year, was captured on video and widely shared online.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers stopped a vehicle at the station after it was being driven at high speed on Chester Road.

Officers suspected the driver, who was travelling with a five-year-old boy in the passenger seat, was drunk and he did not comply when officers tried to breathalyse him, it was reported.

The incident escalated when police attempted to arrest the man, which resulted in a Taser being used seven times.

The man complained about his treatment and police watchdog, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), investigated the case after receiving a referral from GMP.

During the probe, the IOPC obtained statements from the officers involved and an eyewitness and examined footage from the officers’ body-worn video, CCTV and social media.

The IOPC also consulted an expert in the use of Taser for their opinion on the tactics used.

The evidence did not suggest an officer may have acted in a way that justified disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence, the IOPC reported.

But the investigation highlighted several areas of learning for force and the officers involved in the incident. These include improvements to the policies and training in place relating to the use of Taser.

The IOPC also considered whether the complainant’s ethnicity influenced the way the incident was handled, including analysis of the officers’ previous use of force and complaints against them.

However, the watchdog found no evidence to suggest the complainant’s ethnicity was a factor in the decision to use force against him.

IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said: “Police use of Taser is an area of serious concern for our communities and we recognise the potential for incidents like this to damage public confidence in the police.

"This was a very distressing situation that was filmed and shared widely online.

“The officers told us they honestly believed they faced the threat of violence and acted accordingly. While we found no evidence their actions were not in line with force and national policies, we believe work is needed to update and improve those policies so that there is greater clarity about when Tasers should be used.

“We have contacted the complainant to explain our findings and will be speaking to members of the local community in light of the significant impact this incident had.

We will be publishing our report and learning recommendations in due course.”

GMP said the man who was arrested has since been convicted of offences which arose from his actions.

The force has backed the officers who were involved in the incident but said refresher training will be looked at.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: "The officers did what I would expect of them in stopping the vehicle and they conducted themselves professionally and proportionately.

"They made decisions under what were clearly very difficult circumstances, they faced resistance from the driver involved, their response was measured and resulted in a successful conviction.

"The presence of an innocent child in this scenario is particularly regrettable, although this too is due to the actions of the offending motorist.

"The officers took immediate steps to care for the child and took him to a family member's home to be looked after.

"Where our officers misbehave they will be held accountable, but when they are doing their duty professionally they deserve our respect and support.

"While we accept the IOPC has made comment in relation to GMP policies and training, it is always important to refresh and review operational training, and the support we provide to officers, and I will ensure these important matters are subject to ongoing and detailed scrutiny."