“No to routine arming, yes to more trained firearms officers”

MORE officers in Essex are in favour of carrying a firearm or Taser than nationally, new figures have revealed.

The results of a survey by the Police Federation of England and Wales have showed that 55% of officers are willing to carry a firearm and 33% are in favour of routine arming. In addition, 75% wanted to carry Taser. 

The results were slightly lower than from a local survey run by Essex Police Federation, which showed that 69% of officers were willing to be armed and 82% wanted Taser.

And Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor has said it is most important for him to listen to the opinions of his own members on routine arming, rather than the national figures.

He said: “I had a very clear steer from our local survey, very clear from my members in Essex, and I interpreted that steer as they don’t want to be routinely armed, they do want to see more firearms officers available to us. And ultimately we do want Taser.

“So there’s three really clear messages there that I take away from what I’ve been told by my own people in Essex.

“The national survey broadly supports that position, but for me what’s important is listening to my local members, and that’s where the importance of our local survey sits.

“So that’s the line that Essex Federation will be sticking to. No to routine arming, yes to more firearms officers trained in the traditional way on the street, and yes to more Taser.”

The results of the Essex survey can be found here: http://essexfedfocus.co.uk/?p=3513