Page 6 - WMPF Federation FEB-MAR 2022_Neat

OFFICER SAFETY

Serious concerns over

approach to Taser

training for sergeants

has described how according to official data Assessment (STRA) 2021-22 which concluded
173 cases of assaults on West Midlands Police that consideration had been given to allowing
constables were recorded in December, 2020 sergeants to carry Taser. But it was decided
despite strict Covid restrictions being in place the greatest need was within frontline officers
ergeants trained and experienced in the for part of that month. most likely to be deployed to most incidents
use of Taser are being forced to stop Those incidents included 19 that were that warrant the use of Taser and this will
Susing the devices after a “nonsensical” recorded in a 48-hour period between invariably be the frontline PCs across the
decision by the Force not to fund a one-day Christmas and New Year, which saw an officer forward-facing departments.
refresher training course for them. sexually assaulted and another officer rushed However, on 18 November it was confirmed
West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich to hospital after ingesting blood from a person that sergeants will not be trained in Taser.
Cooke, who wants to see all officers trained with Hepatitis C while trying to stop a bleed. Some sergeants will carry Taser for a short
and equipped with Taser if they want to be,
says the Force’s decision comes at a time when WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW, DESPITE FACING UNRIVALLED LEVELS
the recent assessment by Her Majesty’s “
Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & OF SERIOUS VIOLENCE IN WEST MIDLANDS, IT IS OUR OFFICERS WHO
Rescue Services found the West Midlands had
the highest rate of firearms offences (24.5 per ARE EXPOSED TO ADDITIONAL RISK WHEN EVEN RURAL FORCES LIKE
100,000 population) and knife crime offences NORTHANTS HAVE ALLOWED ALL FRONTLINE COLLEAGUES TO CARRY
(1.55 per 1,000 population).
“As a Federation we have serious concerns TASER, IF THEY WISH.
about the current approach,” says Rich, “The
current level of risk faced by our frontline Another incident saw a 34-year-old man while longer but only until their training
officers of all ranks is there for all to see. We jailed for six months after admitting attacking a authority runs out.
want all our frontline colleagues of any rank to police officer. “The reason provided was that there was
be afforded the protection Taser is proven to The figure has been described as not sufficient funding to train all the
provide. We know that in 9 out of 10 cases “completely and utterly unacceptable” by the sergeants,” says Rich, “There will be a review
where Taser is present there is no violence – so PCC. of the STRA for 2022-23 and it is vital that the
we could be preventing many of these assaults He added: “We all know policing is a job Federation is an integral part of that process.
or worse. with serious risks, but these numbers are too We cannot understand how, despite facing
“Put simply, Taser could save an officer’s high.” unrivalled levels of serious violence in West
life. Sergeants are often the only officers free Following numerous contacts from Midlands, it is our officers who are exposed to
to support colleagues at back-up shouts, they concerned sergeants around the Force, Rich additional risk when even rural forces like
are mostly single-crewed in some of the most and Federation branch secretary Tim Rogers Northants have allowed all frontline colleagues
violent streets of the UK. This is the least they questioned the Chief Constable over the to carry taser, if they wish.
deserve, but to prevent sergeants, who are decision made in November to cease providing “We will, of course, continue to participate
already trained and have years of experience, refresher courses to sergeants in front facing in consultative forums with the Force and put
using the tactic from undertaking a simple roles who are already trained. This means when our views forward. We are currently collating
one-day refresher course, on grounds of cost, their training times out, they will have to stop examples of where officers have encountered
is nonsensical to me.” carrying Taser. danger or worse where Taser would likely have
Before Christmas, West Midlands Police The Force says its approach to Taser is set made a vital difference.”
and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster by the Force Strategic Threat and Risk l Officers’ stories, see Pages 7 – 9.

6 federation February/March 2022 www.polfed.org/westmids