Police stun gun expansion planned

**Standard Dave** · 05-16-07, 07:17 AM

More frontline police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans.

Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can be used only by firearms officers confronted by an armed person.

Home Secretary John Reid will tell the Police Federation of England and Wales he wants non-firearms officers working in specialist units to have the weapon.

But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended.

The campaign group claims the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada.

But Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said his members welcomed an expansion of Taser.

"If there is a need to use force then in some circumstances it would be better to use a Taser," he said.

"It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly. At the moment they have a baton and CS gas.

"There is no long-term effect with Taser. But if someone is batoned or [gassed] there are long-term effects."

During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns.

They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires.

A total of 3,000 have been issued so far, but only specially trained officers can use them.

A sub-committee of Britain's Defence Scientific Advisory Council looked at the medical implications of Taser use in 2004.

It concluded that the risk of life-threatening or serious injuries from the M26 gun used by police in England and Wales was "very low".

Pilot planned

The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads.

Under its plans, officers will also be able to use the stun guns if they face violence or threats, not just if they are confronted by someone with a weapon.

All incidents in which Tasers are discharged are referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which investigates complaints made against the police.

At the Police Federation conference in Blackpool on Wednesday, Mr Reid is expected to announce a 12-month pilot scheme to test the Taser expansion.

This is expected to begin in September, subject to approval by medical experts, and will involve 11 forces.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6660283.stm

Would be better to give them to frontline officers not drugs squads or support units. Response officers and Dog handlers would be a better option for getting them where they are needed quickly.

**Trojan 42** · 05-16-07, 09:27 AM

I'd stick with specialist squads too. Otherwise they will be used instead of CS by some officers. I mean some officers even CS a drunk.

**Jackalope** · 05-16-07, 10:15 AM

"It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly."

What kind of idiotic comment is that?

**Rhino** · 05-16-07, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jackalope

What kind of idiotic comment is that?

Why, an idiotic one, of course.

**Standard Dave** · 05-16-07, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jackalope

What kind of idiotic comment is that?

A sound bite one, to make the point he was trying to get across sound good

**Sapper_132** · 05-16-07, 12:03 PM

Let me know if you guys need and Instructors. I'd be more than happy to jump on a plane (paid for by your dept of course) and run off to England for a couple of days.

I'm re-certing as an instructer this Friday.

I think the UK will use them more often than us

**Ducky** · 05-16-07, 01:49 PM

Oh, geez, I can't remember the last time I was tasered for rolling through a stop sign. You guys must not be doing your jobs.

**conalabu** · 05-16-07, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

Oh, geez, I can't remember the last time I was tasered for rolling through a stop sign. You guys must not be doing your jobs.

Come on up, Ducks. I'll help ya out.

Dave, I love your politicians as much as I love mine.

**Ducky** · 05-16-07, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by conalabu

Come on up, Ducks. I'll help ya out.

I'm getting all tingly just thinking about it.

**conalabu** · 05-16-07, 03:51 PM

Taser taser taser. The sweetest words I'll ever hear.

**Motorwaycop** · 05-16-07, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Standard Dave

But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended.

So can a number of blows to the head with a fist or baton which is all I have available!

On balance the taser is probably far safer.

**JLK** · 05-17-07, 12:23 AM

Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can be used only by firearms officers confronted by an armed person.

stupid. when confronted with an armed person use a gun. deadly force = deadly force

But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal

yes but so can batons, spray/cs, and hands on. all officers that carry the taser get tazed. i'v yet to hear about an officer having died.

"If there is a need to use force then in some circumstances it would be better to use a Taser,"

got one right. reduces officers injuries

"It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly.

people in the us are not tazed for traffic violations, they are tazed for not complying with officers commands. i guess across they pond people always comply to verbal commands.

All incidents in which Tasers are discharged are referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which investigates complaints made against the police.

bad idea non-police second guessing officers

Would be better to give them to frontline officers

+10000

I mean some officers even CS a drunk.

quilty 6'2'' 380# drunk that wanted to fight. dumped a can of spay then went to work with my get right stick.
i'm not scared to get hurt, but i'm not a fool. maybe our brothers from across the pond can come over and show how it's done. if ya'll ever make it to memphis tn look me up and come for a ride along. at lest they are trying to get ya'll the taser, memphis would rather the officer get hurt.

**Sapper_132** · 05-17-07, 03:37 AM

I can't wait to fall flat on my face again. It's going to be so much fun.

Whats better than being tazed, is thinking of how many of my fellow officers I get to payback for locker room pranks!

**cntryboy0531** · 05-17-07, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Standard Dave

"It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly.

Fuck you to asshole.

**Star Man** · 05-20-07, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by cntryboy0531

Fuck you to asshole.

NO kidding, high and mighty lofty dickhead. I'd bet a weeks pay he's never had to roll around on the ground and fight with a doped up addict or drunk.

As far as Amnesty international.... I think I have wasted enough time on those ass hats just typing their name... Buuut I will say this...70 deaths..... Would that be attributed to drug indused EXCITED DELIRIUM??? HUMMMM ?? would those same 70 deaths have occurred if the Taser was not there? YESSSS!!! The baton or fist whuppin the guys would have gotten anyway would have resulted in a bigger mess and pulverized suspect. The Taser prevented any officer injuries, and wow, 70 deaths out of what.... 20,000 plus deployments?? GIVE ME A FRIGGIN BREAK!!!! There would be alot more than 70 deaths using the old methods. If Amnesty International had their way we would be carrying silly string and no baton or Taser or gun....

**countybear** · 05-20-07, 01:14 PM

It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly. At the moment they have a baton and CS gas.

Congratulations Alan, your ignorant, boorish, and purely unenlightened comments have just set back relations between you and your fellow officers 'across the pond' light years...

**Motorwaycop** · 05-20-07, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by countybear

Congratulations Alan, your ignorant, boorish, and purely unenlightened comments have just set back relations between you and your fellow officers 'across the pond' light years...

What you have to remember is most of our federation officers in the position to give media qoutes have not seen street work for quite along time!

It's a hard life going to meetings and free lunches, if it wasn't for the cheap travel insurance and cheap theme park tickets I'd probably not bother paying my monthly contributions.

It's also strange how when they retire from their federation jobs ( They are still police officers) they all seem to manage to get cushy civvy jobs at headquarters!

In the bosses pockets? What, no, how very dare you!