Indigenous man repeatedly tasered in face, chest and neck during arrest in Sydney

A New South Wales police officer repeatedly tasered an Indigenous man in the face, chest and neck during an arrest in Sydney on Monday.

Footage circulated widely on social media showed the man, who did not appear to be resisting, repeatedly tasered by an officer during an arrest in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. During the arrest the man can be heard saying “I’m not even fighting you”.

The footage appears to show the man on his knees with his arms held out, before one officer grabs him and another begins using the taser against him from close range.

In a statement, the NSW police said the man was under police guard in hospital after being arrested following a foot pursuit at about 1.30pm in Darlinghurst.

Police said officers were “conducting proactive patrols when they noticed a man and a woman walking on Oxford Street”.

“As officers approached, the pair split up and the 32-year-old man – who was carrying a bag – fled on foot,” the statement read.

“Police commenced a foot pursuit which continued through several streets, including a house in Darlinghurst.

“Shortly after, the man was located in a common garden area at the back of units on Rose Terrace, near South Dowling Street. As police attempted to arrest him, a taser was deployed.

“He was arrested and taken to St Vincent’s hospital under police guard.”

Police later located a bag, containing allegedly stolen items, on Oxford Street.

Inquiries are continuing.