British police shot man with Taser after he suffered epileptic fit in gym

Hostile behavior is not unusual when someone is recovering from a seizure, according to an Epilepsy Foundation report entitled Inappropriate Response to Seizures. "Accordingly, restraint of persons soon after a seizure may exacerbate or precipitate combativeness the opposite of the intended result," according to the report.

See also an ABC News report from November 23, 2006: Arrested for Epilepsy. "The Epilepsy Foundation said that the best thing police or bystanders can do when they see someone undergoing a seizure is to not restrain the person. Rather, they should simply let the seizure pass, watch to make sure the seizure sufferer is not in harm's way, and comfort the person when it ends. Call 911 if the episode lasts more than 5 to 7 minutes, the group advises."

April 13, 2010
Daily Mail

Police watchdogs have launched an investigation after a Taser was used on a man suffering an epileptic fit.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation after Greater Manchester Police officers allegedly shot the man with a 50,000-volt stun gun after he collapsed in November.

Paramedics were called to the Powerleague gym in Whalley Range, Manchester, after the 40-year-old man suffered from a seizure.

They then asked for police back up after he started biting and punching the ambulance crew.

During the incident one officer discharged a Taser at least once into the man, who was also restrained.

The man, who spent more than two weeks in hospital after the incident, made a complaint via his solicitors, alleging the officers were negligent and had used excessive and unnecessary force.

The matter was then referred by Greater Manchester Police to the IPCC.

The IPCC will carry out an independent investigation into the allegations.

IPCC Commissioner Ms Naseem Malik said: 'This man suffered an epileptic seizure and it is clear paramedics were struggling to treat him due to the violence of that seizure.

'Our investigation will be thorough and examine the appropriateness of the actions taken by the police officers who attended to assist the paramedics.

Superintendent Mike Freeman, of Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch, said: 'This matter was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by GMP in line with the IPCC's policy that complaints arising from the discharge of tasers are referred to them.

'The role of the IPCC is to determine the method of investigation and in this case it will be independently managed.

'Officers were called to this incident because the 40-year-old man in question was suffering a seizure and posing an immediate threat to the safety of himself and others and had assaulted a number of paramedics.

'As an IPPC investigation is underway it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.'