Page 33 - WMPF Federation Feb-Mar 2020-flip_Neat

Renewed call for wider roll-out of Taser

With more officers carrying Taser and an
increasingly violent society it’s no surprise
that police use of Taser is at a record high,
says national Federation chair John Apter.
John published a blog about Taser after
the latest Home Office police use of Force
statistics were released.
He wrote: “The figures released recently
do show an increase in the use of Taser. This
is not surprising. Firstly, there are far more
officers trained and authorised to carry Taser
and, secondly, let’s not ignore the fact that
we live in an increasingly more violent Taser training.
society where assaults on police officers are
increasing year on year. But it’s important to one way or another. But my stance will understanding of the reality we face on a
understand what a ‘use’ means as far as the always remain the same and I will continue daily basis,” John argues, “Many of those who
figures are concerned. to champion its wider roll-out and support criticise my colleagues who use any level of
“Every time an officer takes a Taser from our members who want to carry it. Taser has force do so from the comfort of their
its holster, the red dot is aimed, the device is proven itself time and time again, it’s saved armchair or with the benefit of hindsight.
arced or indeed fired then this is classed as a lives and it’s prevented a higher level of force They have no grasp of reality, they generally
use. In reality, of the 23,500 incidents over having to be used.” offer no alternative other than to have a
the past 12 months where a Taser was ‘used’, He also argues that it is essential police chat with a violent offender, to talk them
it was actually fired on only 2,500 occasions. officers are given the best training, the best down from their violent attack. I’m afraid
That means 85 per cent of the time the equipment and the support they need to do that doesn’t work in the real world. We have
officer did not feel the need to fire the their job with access to Taser being part of to deal with reality and sometimes that
device. This demonstrates an incredible level that. reality is not pretty!”
of restraint and professionalism from my John accepts any police use of force must The Home Secretary has announced
colleagues who have to make split second be subject to scrutiny but points out policing £10 million of extra funding to allow Taser to
decisions on what level of force to use. in the UK is the most scrutinised and be issued to more officers but the Federation
“Taser will probably always be targeted accountable in the world. still wants to see more investment in the
in the news or by various campaign groups “There also needs to be an devices and officer safety generally.

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