Dramatic moment armed police Taser man brandishing two knives at officers

Martin Coulter3 November 2017
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This is the dramatic moment a man brandishing two knives is Tasered by armed police.

The footage, captured on an officer's bodycam during an incident in Birmingham city centre was shared by West Midlands Police.

Officers can be heard calling on Aron Tesfalem, 20, to drop his weapons during the clip filmed earlier this month.

Despite around 10 requests for Tesfalem to put down the blades, officers are forced to discharge a Taser.

They been called to reports he had jammed two knives into a reception desk at a office block forcing staff to take shelter in the locked room.

The knifeman is reported to have later told police he was drunk and angry after a laptop he had paid £400 for had not arrived and that he had not understood their instructions.

Officers repeatedly told the man to put the knives down before tasering him
West Midlands Police

He claimed he did not know what his intentions with the knives were.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a bladed article and was sentenced to a year in jail on November 2.

A spokesman for the force said it had decided to release the footage to show the threats police face daily.

They added it also highlighted the power of the bodyworn camera.

Aron Tesfalem is serving one year in prison following the incident
West Midlands Police

Chief inspector Danny Delaney said: "This incident is an example of the professionalism and restraint West Midlands firearms officers demonstrate when dealing with highly volatile violent incidents.

"Officers undergo 14 weeks of intensive training where they are trained to deal with all types of situations, always trying to use the minimum amount of force necessary."

The footage comes after more than 1,400 West Midlands police officers were issued with body cameras to be used at domestic incidents, during searches and also while making arrests.

"Within the next six months, all frontline officers are expected to receive their own camera, and all other officers will have access to cameras if they need them."

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