Two police officers fired for Taser misuse

Two Western Australian police officers have been fired for misusing their Tasers on
other officers and then misleading investigators during an inquiry into the matter.
An internal investigation was launched after the conduct of the sergeant and the
senior constable was brought to the attention of another senior officer at
Rockingham Police Station, in Perth's south.
Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said in a statement on Thursday that both
officers under investigation were found to have used Tasers improperly on other
police officers several times between October 2008 and May 2010.
It was also found that the officers created an uncomfortable culture at the station
where junior staff felt unable to bring concerning issues to the attention of senior
police.
"The final straw in this whole sorry saga was that neither of the two officers
investigated told the truth to internal investigators when they were first required
to," Mr O'Callaghan said.
"They continued to deny the allegations and offered improbable explanations for
their behaviour."
Mr O'Callaghan said one of the officers had to be interviewed six times to get a
full account of the matter.
"I have made it clear that I will not tolerate police officers being untruthful or
evasive to internal investigators," he said.
The officers have 28 days to appeal against the decision.