A MAN running from police was shot with a Taser on Monday night in the first use of the weapon since its rollout in the Far North in January.

Using the weapon on a man when he was running away has raised questions, given police protocols say Tasers are used to assist police in "resolving incidents involving violent or physically aggressive persons".

In particular, it refers to the use of Tasers only when there is an immediate threat of assault or violence, if police are physically assaulted, or if a person resists arrest.

But police acknowledged yesterday the "agitated" man was running away from them when the Taser was used.

Officers had been called to an incident in Anderson Rd, at Woree, about 6.35pm on Monday after attending an earlier incident involving the same man at Dunbar St, Mooroobool.

A police statement yesterday said: "The man appeared to be in an agitated state and has allegedly run to the rear of the yard and into a neighbouring
property.

"During this time police have called for the man to stop and it is alleged he has not complied with the direction.

"Police have given a verbal warning before using a Taser on the man."

The man, 32, was then arrested. He appeared in Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday on a charge of assault and obstructing a police officer.

Police declined to answer questions yesterday on whether it was appropriate to use a Taser on a man who was running away.

But Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said the electroshock weapon should only be used in life or death situations.

Cairns police last week said Tasers had been unholstered in seven prior confrontations, but had never been used.

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