Police investigate taser use on parcel courier in Amsterdam

Police used a taser on a parcel courier in Amsterdam on Thursday while arresting him in the Runstraat, after he had parked his van so that it blocked the road.

A police spokesperson said the man had stopped his van where that was not allowed and the officer spoke to him. According to police, the officer wanted to arrest the man, who did not cooperate. Police said the officer used the taser because the situation was said to have escalated.

The spokesperson stressed that the video of the incident shows only a fraction of what happened, and that the situation may have escalated before the footage starts.

Officers must always report any use of force, and every incident involving violence is investigated, police said. "The investigation must show whether this was proportionate," the spokesperson said.

After his arrest the courier was taken to the police station, where he received several fines. He has since been released.