News & Star's taser use investigation scoops top award

At the Society of Editors' Media Freedom Awards 2023 ceremony, held in London last week, the News & Star won the regional investigation award for the report.

Over several months, Chief Reporter Phil Coleman conducted a legal battle to secure video footage of police officers in west Cumbria as they arrested a young man who was experiencing a mental health episode.

The police officers, who had received a report that the man had a knife, repeatedly tasered the suspect as they swore at him and yelled confusing instructions.

At the conclusion of the encounter, the suspect is seen collapsed and struggling to breathe, having sustained a fractured skull and a life-changing brain injury.

The video footage shows:

• The officers immediately engaging physically with the suspect, yelling loudly at him and repeatedly swearing as they shout multiple instructions to the man to lie down or put his hands behind his back
• The suspect repeatedly holding out his empty hands and saying that he had done nothing wrong.
• The officers tasering the man multiple times, including to the neck and body – and tasering him as he lies on the ground moaning in pain and as he attempts to flee, at one point shouting 'Help'.
• Ten seconds with the man sprawled on the ground, writhing and moaning in pain, and saying "Oh God" while being tasered three times in quick succession. 
• Images of the man bleeding heavily from a head wound while groaning and struggling to breathe as he lies semi-conscious and seriously injured on the ground after being overpowered and handcuffed.

A senior Cumbrian police officer said all the force's officers are trained to use force only when it is 'lawful, proportionate and necessary' and that the response of the officers involved was 'reasonable'.

But Amnesty International UK said: “Rather than deploying standard de-escalation and arrest procedures, the video shows over-aggressive officers using their tasers in a chaotic and highly dangerous fashion which made a difficult situation far, far worse.”

Retired Carlisle police officer David Morton said: “The arrested man appeared to have no socks on, appeared unarmed and was relatively calm until the arrival of some male officers who, by their very demeanour, did not help the situation.

The suspect was not holding a knife (Image: News & Star)  

“Their approach was aggressive and by their actions and language, they probably inflamed an already difficult incident. Members of the public behaving similarly would expect to be arrested.”

Professor John Ashton, a retired Cumbrian health chief and a former President of the Faculty of Public Health, said: “I’m totally shocked by what this video shows.

“The police officers were totally out of control and grossly overreacting to the situation. They showed a complete lack of professionalism and were using appalling language.

“It was totally unjustified.”

As she announced the winners at this year’s awards, Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors, said: “The winners of the Media Freedom Awards 2023 highlight the outstanding scoops and investigations which have dominated the news agenda and effected real change over the past year.

“From agenda-setting exclusives to campaigns that will undoubtedly save lives, we are honoured to recognise and celebrate the vital work that the news media industry undertakes every day to hold power to account on behalf of the public.”

Phil, also shortlisted in the Regional Reporter of the Year Category, said: “Journalism should hold power to account - and that is what I have tried to do in my reporting, no matter what the organisation.

“The taser story began after I became aware of a distressing incident in which a young man, suffering a psychotic episode, was subjected to multiple tasering and 'extreme verbal aggression'.

“The police body-worn video footage was central to this story so it was vital to secure it. What it shows is, in my opinion, shocking.

“This investigation shone a light on an issue of vital public interest, and hopefully it will lead to a reappraisal of how Cumbrian police officers can recognise and deal with suspects experiencing mental health problems.”

Joy Yates, Newsquest Cumbria regional editor, said: “Phil worked tirelessly to land this investigation, not giving up despite many challenges.

Chief Reporter Phil Coleman with the MFA award. (Image: Newsquest)

"I am thrilled his hard work and expertise has been recognised with the receipt of this award.

“The News & Star is proud of the role it plays in investing in investigative journalism and Phil’s tenacity and determination is pivotal to the crucial content we produce.”