Most people do not expect to be Tasered while at work, but that is exactly what happened to an adviser working for the mayor of Surco, a town in Peru. Mayor Carlos Bruce has faced criticism after a video of him using a stun gun on his own adviser spread online.
Video Shows Adviser Shocked
The footage shows Arturo Bobbio, the mayor's adviser and municipal manager, standing a few feet away from Bruce, who holds a yellow self-defense weapon. Bobbio appears aware of what is coming as he braces for the impact of the electrical current, which is typically used to subdue criminals. He clenches his fists while another man supports him. Bruce grips the device with both hands before delivering volts to Bobbio from behind. The pulse causes Bobbio to convulse as his body receives thousands of volts. He moves uncontrollably before his legs give way, and he falls to the floor, supported by his colleague.
Mayor Defends Actions
Mayor Bruce told TV Peru Noticias that the edited clip was taken out of context from a private setting. He claimed Bobbio's participation was voluntary and that there was no real risk. The incident occurred after the Surco municipality purchased stun guns for its security personnel. Stun guns typically deliver between 2,000 and 50,000 volts.
Public Reaction
Online commentators compared the bizarre exercise to a scene from the hit American movie franchise Jackass, known for wild pranks and stunts. Others joked that it looked like a Peruvian version of The Office TV series. The video has sparked widespread debate about appropriate conduct for public officials.
