Page 4 - WMPF Federation JUNE-JULY 2019-flip_Neat

Chair’s introduction

We still need

more Taser

trained officers

a threatening situation so it’s
understandable that in a routine arming
survey carried out by the Police Federation of In a routine
England and Wales in 2017 82 per cent of
West Midlands officers said they would like arming survey in 2017
to have access to Taser at all times while on
duty. At that point, only 15 per cent of our 82 per cent of West
respondents, for whom it was relevant to
their role, actually had that access. It is Midlands officers said
perhaps worth noting that in the same
survey less than half (42 per cent) said they they would like access
were in favour of routine arming, although to Taser at all times
63 per cent said they would be prepared to
carry a firearm at all times while on duty. while on duty
It would be interesting to see the results
if this survey was carried out now. While I
am sure we would see an increase on that
15 per cent of our officers with access to
Taser, I am afraid that number might from the front where the occasion demands.
plateau. Only last week a sergeant based at
The current uplift of Taser trained Stechford was attacked by a deranged man
officers will come to end later this year and, armed with a metal bar who was eventually
as I said at the outset, I am pleased at how Tasered. This type of incident where officers
By Rich Cooke, chair of West Midlands Police far we have come. We have kept the focus on are attacked with weapons is alarmingly
Federation officer safety at a high level in our Force and regular. We all deserve the tools to defend
I want to ensure that continues. ourselves.
y the end of this year just under half But let’s be clear, I won’t be satisfied So, I will be continuing to call for an
of our front-line officers – and mainly until all our front-line and custody officers increased roll-out of Taser until all front-line
BPCs – will have been trained and have the opportunity to carry Taser. As the and custody officers have received the
equipped with Taser. recent widely shared video of officers in training and been issued with the devices
This represents great progress and I am Wolverhampton, who were being subjected and I strongly believe the Government
pleased, and grateful, with how far we have to a vicious attack from a suspect shows, should be providing the funding to enable
come in terms of rolling out these devices Taser can prevent far more serious injury and forces to do this, for the benefit of police
since they not only enable officers to end a violent incident quickly and safely. officers and the communities they serve.
effectively protect the public from However, I don’t only want to see our Moving on from Taser, I would like to
potentially dangerous people but also allow front-line PCs equipped with Taser but also raise awareness of the huge pressures
them to protect themselves. their sergeants, inspectors and chief currently facing Force CID.
Statistics back up our contention that inspectors. We need supervisors fully able to Short notice changes are being forced
often just drawing Taser is enough to defuse support their bobbies and genuinely leading upon detectives as demand far outweighs

04 federation June/July 2019 www.polfed.org/westmids