The Police Forces Use Of Tasers

The police are responsible for the safety of our communities and their residents. They must be equipped with everything they need to perform their duties effectively and sometimes this requires a little extra force. After a trial carried out in England and Wales with five police forces, the police use of tasers came into effect across the entire country.

Chief officers are now able to give special police officers the power to carry and use a taser gun if the situation warrants the police use of tasers. The association of chief police officers have laid out the guidelines which determine when a taser can be deployed and these are the most dangerous of occasions. As of 2007, the home office has permitted police officers to use tasers in a greater number of situations, following their great initial success.

Firearms officers are incredibly well trained and are able to use the most precise and calculating of judgements to ensure a taser is used with uppermost caution. In addition to firearms officers, a trial was launched in 2007 in ten police forces in England and Wales. As a result of this trial, which lasted for 12 months, the home office granted chief officers the ability to permit certain police officers to use a taser, in the circumstances outlined by the association of chief police officers. These officers are not firearms officers but they are specially trained in the use of a taser and when to use them.

The police use of tasers is limited to situations in which there is a risk to the public, the police officer, or the subject. This means they have to justify their use of a taser and how this was in the interest of safety. These officers carry a taser for such situations only.

Following the further success of this trial, tasers were made much more readily available. Police forces in England and Wales were asked to inform the home office of how many tasers they would like. The funding was made available for up to 10,000 new tasers.

Since the taser provides a very effective and non lethal way of preventing dangerous acts, their use has been widespread and popular amongst those that have benefited from their advantages.

Specific research into the medical implications following the police use of tasers has returned a very positive result. The risk of serious injury or death from tasers is very low indeed and thus their usage has not been opposed.

Since the police use of tasers can have many important implications, they have been thoroughly tested. Two trials have been carried out involving a total of 15 police forces across England and Wales and extensive medical research also supports their usage.

The police use of tasers can save lives and specially trained officers now carry the device to protect the public, themselves, and occasionally the person who is posing the threat. The fact that they are non lethal makes them a more sensible choice over firearms that are aimed to kill.


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