INCREASING numbers of Essex Police officers are being trained to use Taser and more are carrying it on shifts.<\/p>\n
In a recent PFEW survey, 80% of Essex officers said they wanted to have access to the non-lethal weapon \u2018at all times\u2019 whilst on duty and the force is moving that way, barring a few \u2018blockers\u2019 according to Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor.<\/p>\n
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He\u2019s welcomed the wider role out of Taser across the county.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore officers have been trained to use it, more have been purchased and it\u2019s becoming readily available on the frontline,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no longer the specialism of firearms officers and we have hundreds of officers who have deployed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t be entirely happy that every officer in the force has access as there are some issues, one being the cost of the device itself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The logistics of bringing an updated version, the x2, into service has also caused issues, added Steve, with officers having to be retrained on the new device.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more expensive than the older model, too,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also a rather less than helpful buy back scheme where you can trade in tasers under five years old for the new model, but it\u2019s not ideal when you are trying to arm more officers and up the number of tasers out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a tough challenge for the Chief Constable to find the funds required.\u201d<\/p>\n
One way that could be addressed is by placing the burden of cost back on the Home Office.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to see that happen,\u201d Steve added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like the centre to put its hand in its pocket for this and it\u2019s not hugely fair as Essex and other forces have their own way of funding, it can be easier for some forces to find the funds for taser \u2013 it shouldn\u2019t be like that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to be in the position where every officer has it, where it\u2019s part of their overall personal protective equipment, like a baton or CS Spray is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the prevention qualities it has which are so useful \u2013 the red dot gets displayed and compliance is normally achieved, it would be a massive step to achieving better officer safety.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"