Death, graphic video sparks taser debate in Australia

In this image made from August 2008 video released by the  Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia State, a man is  held by police officers in the foyer of a police watch-house during an  incident in which he was repeatedly stunned by a taser. AP - In this  image made from August 2008 video released by the Corruption and Crime  Commission of Western Australia State, a man is held by police officers  in the foyer of a police watch-house during an incident in which he was  repeatedly stunned by a taser. | AP

Graphic video of police repeatedly stunning an unarmed man with a taser has helped restart a debate about whether stun guns are being overused by authorities in Australia.

Western Australia state police said the incident was totally unacceptable, and not typical of taser use by the force. State Premier Colin Barnett has dubbed it a major breach of procedure and demanded a review of taser guidelines.

The video's release also comes amid questions in eastern Australia over the death of a Sydney man Monday after police stunned him in the chest with a taser.

Closed-circuit video footage of the Western Australia incident was released publicly on Monday, when the state's crime commission introduced a report to state parliament that cited the August 2008 case as an example of police officers wrongfully using a stun gun.

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Here's another recent story on tasers. God and Tasers At Yale Tom

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