Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Taser training for more cops
More officers to carry equipment
Dozens of police officers in Lanarkshire have undertaken taser training as part of a rollout across Scotland.
Police Scotland announced plans in December to equip additional officers with tasers following an increase in the number of incidents in which officers have been confronted by people armed with blades, and an increase in the number of assaults on officers.
The training of around 500 specially trained officers ( STOs) in the use of tasers began at the end of May, with 40 Lanarkshire officers amongst the first batch to have completed the course.
The STOs will be equipped with the Taser X2, which allows “officers to maintain a safer distance from a subject, decreases the risk of injury, prevents escalation and enables safer and quicker resolution to an incident”.
Every time a taser is discharged, a report is sent to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to independently assess the incident.
The total number of STOs will equate to just under three per cent of the force.
Chief Superintendent Matt Richards said: “Our priority at all times is the safety of the public and the safety of our officers who are attending incidents, often not knowing what they’ll face.
“Due to the increasing number of incidents officers are attending where people are armed with bladed weapons and the growing number of assaults on police officers, it is necessary for us to take steps to improve our ability to keep the public and officers safe.
“The officers will be fully trained in the use and safe keeping of the taser and there will also be a focus on dealing with vulnerable people and identifying risks to ensure that the deployment of taser is proportionate and safe.
“These officers will be deployed at the heart of local policing in all 13 divisions across Scotland, bringing Police Scotland into line with forces throughout the UK.
“As well as engaging with a number of stakeholders including elected representatives, the Scottish Government , Scottish Police Federation, Scottish Police Authority, PIRC, HMICS and charity groups, we have been working with the NHS and Violence Reduction Unit to share best practice and improve de-escalation techniques.”
Calum Steele, from the Scottish Police Federation, added: “Police officers are attending incidents where they face increased violence, and individuals armed with weapons on a daily basis. They are subjected to assaults and regularly suffer injuries, some of which can be life changing and career ending.
“It is vital that officers have the necessary equipment and training so they can keep the public, and themselves, safe when responding to these incidents.
“A survey of our members showed overwhelming support for the provision of additional protective equipment and the training programme that will start shortly is a welcome step in the right direction.”
Officers are attending incidents and facing increased violence