Chief officers should take note of public Taser survey

CHIEF officers “should take note” of a public survey which has revealed that 71% consider it acceptable for police officers to carry Taser when on patrol.

“Taser is a fantastic piece of kit,” said Steve Taylor, Chairman of Essex Police Federation. “This survey shows the community see its value as well. We look forward to increasing over time the establishment of Taser trained and equipped officers that we can deploy onto Essex’s streets.”

He added: “We would look for Chief Officers to take notice of what that survey is telling them, the people out there are saying.”

An Ipsos MORI poll for the Police Federation of England and Wales, also showed that 80% of those surveyed said it would make no difference to their decision, or they would be more likely, to approach an officer for assistance if they were carrying a Taser.

In addition, 89% said forces should be allowed to train and equip officers if the use of Taser is automatically recorded by Body Worn Video.

Steve added: “To me having more officers with Taser means safer colleagues and it means safer communities in which we work.

“If we were in a position where all of our uniformed colleagues were equipped with Taser it gives them a real advantage when dealing with confrontational situations to early and swiftly bring that to a resolution.”

Essex Police announced in November that 92 more officers – including 23 police dog handlers – will undergo training to use the devices, with a further 41 due to follow, after a review.

Can Steve see a day when every police officer in England and Wales and Essex carries a Taser?

“Yes I can see a day where it’s become an accepted and credible part of Personal Protective Equipment, just like a spit guard, just like a body worn video camera. I think they will become and should become the truncheon of the future, if you like.”