Will this be the new "Stewards and Gardai, Plan B"?

[Minder]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW6-jwh9xd0



From Times Online May 5, 2010

Police use Taser on teenager during baseball gameTimes Online 101 Comments
Recommend? (33) A teenage sports fan was subdued by police with a Taser after running onto the field during a Major League baseball game in the US on Monday night, sparking an investigation into whether authorities should use the controversial stun guns during sporting events.

Police in Philadelphia are considering whether officers should get involved when unruly, but non-threatening, fans sprint onto the field during sporting events, after 17-year-old Steve Consalvi was Tasered in full view of spectators.

As thousands of baseball fans watched in shock, a police officer used his stun gun on the high school student after he jumped onto the field and ran around in circles in the outfield during the match between the Philadelphia Phillies and St Louis.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey examined video of the arrest and felt the officer acted within department guidelines, which allow officers to use Tasers to arrest fleeing suspects, according to a police spokesman.
The department's internal affairs unit is now investigating the incident and the police department is reviewing whether its officers should be on the field wrangling runaway fans who do not threaten anyone.

"Should we be on the field at all? I think that's what's being looked at," said police spokesman Lt Frank Vanore. "I'm not sure we should be chasing people around the field."

Mr Consalvi, a high school senior, leapt onto the field at the start of the eighth inning during Monday night's game and proceeded to run around in the outfield, waving a white towel and dodging security officers.

The police officer chased him for about 30 seconds before the stun gun probe hit the teenager, who stumbled forward and slid face-first on the grass. He stayed motionless on the ground for about 30 seconds before standing up and walking off the field.

"From the preliminary look at it, it appears that the officer was within the policy," said Lt Vanore, adding that he did not know what may have transpired before the video started. "He was attempting to make an arrest and the male was attempting to flee."

Police said the teenager was later charged with defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Mr Consalvi's mother, Amy Ziegler, apologised for his actions and said he regrets running onto the field.

"It was stupid. It was just absolutely stupid," she told a local radio station.

The Phillies baseball team said it was in talks with the police department about whether using the stun gun was appropriate.

There have been previous instances in other cities of police using stun guns on unruly fans in the stands, however Lt Vanore said it was the first time he knew of that a Philadelphia officer had used a Taser on a fan on the field.

Pat Courtney, a spokesman for Major League Baseball, said security issues are dealt with at the team level.

"MLB is reserving comment until the Philadelphia Police Department has completed their investigation and discussions with the Phillies," he said in a statement.

[The Real Laoislad]

Would be handy for the Garda who have to endure the thugs on Hill 16 when Dublin are playing