Graphic video of police repeatedly using a Taser stun gun on an unarmed man has rekindled debate in Australia about whether they are being overused.
CCTV 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.
The video was released as part of a report by the state's Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC). Western Australia police said the incident was totally unacceptable, and not typical of Taser use by the force.
In the video, an unarmed man who refused to undergo a strip search in a Perth police station is heard screaming as he is Tasered eight times while surrounded by nine police officers. He was allegedly Tasered another five times off-camera.
Police held an internal inquiry after the incident and fined two senior constables 1,200 Australian dollars and 750 Australian dollars for using excessive force.
The crime commission's report said Tasers were increasingly being used to force alleged offenders to comply with orders. The report recommends the stun guns only be used when there is an imminent threat of serious injury.