Criticism of a police officer for using an electroshock weapon with an indefensible level of violence

Summary of the decision: A man suspected of a minor drug offence was taken to hospital for an examination in the form of a blood test. While at the hospital the man resisted by, among other things, tensing his arms and twisting his body. So that the blood sample could be taken, a police officer administered two shocks using the electroshock weapon’s drive-stun mode.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman is of the opinion that the police officer was within his rights to use a certain amount of force so that the sample could be taken. However, drive-stun constitutes a significant use of violence and the sentence imposed for minor a drug offence is usually only a fine. The Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that the use of violence was disproportionate and went beyond that permitted by law. The Parliamentary Ombudsman criticises the police officer for using the electroshock weapon.