Essex Police Federation Taser and Firearms Survey Results

THE majority of police officers in Essex believe more of their colleagues should be carrying a Taser, a survey of officers has shown.

The poll, by Essex Police Federation, reveals that 83% of officers surveyed feel all Essex Police officers should be issued with Taser whilst on duty. More than 700 Essex Police officers responded to the survey on Taser and Firearms, which ran for three weeks in April/May.

As well as indicating that more officers should carry a Taser, the results show that only 8% of officers feel there are currently an “adequate” amount of gun carrying officers in the county.

Results also show that the largest number of respondents – 33% – believe there “should be more specialist firearms officers in Essex but not all officers should be routinely armed.”

Other results in the survey show:

• 69% of officers who responded said they would be prepared to carry a gun if the Chief Constable and the Home Secretary made a decision that all Essex officers should routinely carry a firearm whilst on duty.
• A little over one in four respondents (25%) said that they believe all police officers should be routinely armed on duty.
• 6% of officers surveyed said under no circumstances would they carry a firearm whilst on duty.

Steve Taylor, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, said the results would help shape the Staff Association’s future discussions with the Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and the Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst over Taser, firearms and both officer and public safety.

Mr Taylor said: “The number of colleagues looking to increase the availability of Taser is a reflection of the value officers place in its ability to assist resolving situations as safely as possible for our communities.

“The number prepared to have access to firearms is a reflection of the danger colleagues face or perceive they face in the modern world. This danger or fear of danger is heightened when we are the few looking to do more with less, but I note the majority when asked would like to see more suitability trained and equipped colleagues.”

Over the last year in Essex Police, Taser was drawn 207 times – 77% of the occasions the less lethal weapon was drawn, it was not used.

In November, it was announced 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. This would more than double the number of officers trained to use the device.

Speaking this week Steve Taylor concluded: “We will use these results from the survey to shape our view and contribution to the national debate on the issue, namely that our members want more Taser but are currently saying “no” to routine arming.

“Locally we will continue to work with our force as it makes more Tasers available and looks to resource our firearms officers.”