SHEKU Bayoh may have survived if police had used a Taser when arresting him, sources have claimed amid concerns that none of the officers involved had access to such a restraining weapon.
It is claimed both CS and pepper sprays were used by officers on Mr Bayoh, who died in police custody in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in May.
However, it has now been alleged that the use of a Taser would have incapacitated Mr Bayoh and there would have been no need to use ankle and wrist restraints on him.
It is understood the nearest available Taser, which stuns by firing 50,000 volts through the body, was in Edinburgh.
Mr Bayoh died in as yet unclear circumstances in an early-morning incident involving up to nine officers, called to reports of a man carrying a knife.
Father-of-two Mr Bayoh, 31, did not have a knife when apprehended but one was recovered next to the scene.
A female officer was injured during the incident.
Aamer Anwar, the Bayoh family lawyer, said both CS and pepper sprays and arm and leg restraints were used.
While two sources said a Taser would have prevented the use of sprays and restraints, Mr Anwar rejected the suggestion the restraining weapon would have been a better option.
The police source said: “Had the officers at the scene had access to a Taser the outcome could have been very different.
“It would have been over in a short space of time and there would have been no need to use restraints.”
A legal source added: “The (expected) Fatal Accident Inquiry will examine all the concerns surrounding this death.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Police Federation said he could not comment on the Bayoh case but said: "The SPF has called for Tasers to be available for every police vehicle since 2007."
Mr Anwar said: “If such weapons were issued to all front line officer rather than specialists, then it would be the first weapon of choice, we cannot afford to take the risk of increased violence and a threat to life.
"As for May 3, Sheku’s family ask seriously how many more weapons did the police need? After all they had nine police officers, CS spray, pepper spray, batons, handcuffs, leg restraints and Sheku Bayoh is dead.”
The case is the subject of an inquiry by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said it is unable to make any comment on the claims while the Pirc investigation is ongoing.
A spokeswoman for the Pirc also said details of the case cannot be disclosed at this stage.
The concerns came as Scotland's top prosecutor appealed for calm as the investigation into the death continues.
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland urged all those with an interest in the death of Mr Bayoh not to engage in "speculation and a running commentary".
He said: "A decision will be taken at the end of this extremely complex investigation as to whether or not criminal proceedings should be raised.
"An inquiry will also be held at which all the relevant evidence will be heard, open to the public and the media, and it is right that it is this forum where the evidence will be rigorously tested and judicially assessed."
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