British rapper Wretch 32 shared a video online showing his father being hit by a taser, prompting the mayor of London to call the police for explanation, in the midst of outrage following the death of George Floyd. "This is how the police think they can treat a 62 year old black man in Tottenham but this one turns out to be my father," the rapper tweeted.
In the video accompanying his message and seen more than a million times, we see police entering a house and a man falling on the stairs while a woman yells, denouncing the use of the taser.
This is how the police think they can treat a 62 year old black man in Tottenham but this 1 happens to be my dad # Nojusticenopeacepic.twitter.com / 17bGizKwem
- Rapthology (@ Wretch32) June 9, 2020Mayor of London calls for "urgent explanation"
The 35-year-old rapper, Jermaine Scott of his real name, told the ITV television channel that there had been "no progress" since his childhood in the fight against racism and police violence.
Labor Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said on Twitter that he had asked the police for an "urgent explanation for this devastating incident", saying that "it is essential that (he) keeps the confidence of the people". In a statement, police said the search, which took place on April 21, was carried out as part of an operation to combat drug trafficking.
"As the officers entered the scene, a man got out and suddenly started to walk towards an officer. He was ordered to stay where he was, but continued on his way to officers who, after several warnings , used a taser, "said the police. The man was not arrested and was examined by the emergency services, but did not need additional medical care, said the police.
The incident, filmed by a camera carried by a police officer, was investigated by the Police Professional Standards Department, which did not identify any faults.