Police call for every officer to be issued Taser gun

[FishTail]

RANK-and-file police yesterday called for every front-line officer in Scotland to be issued with Tasers to protect them from armed criminals.

Members of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents about 15,000 frontline officers, welcomed the proposals as they were floated at the association's annual conference in Peebles.

Delegates also gave strong support for more police to be allowed to use firearms amid concern over the risk posed by criminals who are increasingly seeking out guns as an "insurance policy".

Currently only a few hundred officers are trained in the use of firearms and controversial Tasers. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) approved the use of the weapons, which deliver a 50,000-volt electric shock to their target, last year and they are currently being rolled out across the country.

Yesterday, federation delegates heard that Tasers have been used four times since their introduction - twice in situations where the only option was to shoot the suspect.

The motion to consider blanket provision of Tasers for operation officers was put forward by Constable Raymond Pratt, secretary of Strathclyde Police Federation.

The Scotsman

Well, it'd be a start.

[Standard Dave]

http://www.polfed.org/we_stand_firearms.asp

It's from the 2003 survey in England and Wales.

I hope all the UK based officers have filled in the 2006 survey got a feeling certainly round my way that more officers will be asking for more kit and more specially trained officers.

The stance at present on Taser
http://www.polfed.org/we_stand_F0AE5...FC4D976359.asp

[Beans]

I hope you all get them, they are a wonderful tool! I would not want to be without one.

[BigBossMan]

I still can not grasp the concept of Police Officers responding to crimes without a weapon no matter what country..

[FishTail]

Sure I have a weapon. An ASP baton and some pepper spray.

[BigBossMan]

Sure I have a weapon. An ASP baton and some pepper spray.

I was thinking more along the lines of a firearm.