Taser cops ‘not what needed’ in Lochaber

Moves by Police Scotland to deploy more officers specially trained in the use of tasers have been decried as a waste of money at a time when areas including Lochaber need more resources put into community policing.

Although Police Scotland told the Lochaber Times that for operational reasons it could not confirm how many of the 500 officers being trained in the use of tasers will be based in Fort William or the rest of Lochaber, it has been acknowledged the Specially Trained Officers (STOs) will be deployed in urban and rural communities across Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Matt Richards said: ‘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 the deployment of tasers is proportionate and safe. These officers will be deployed in all 13 divisions across Scotland.

But despite all these assurances, Iain Jenner, chairman of Nether Lochaber Community Council, says what areas like his need are more community-based officers on patrol locally.

‘I seriously question the validity of doing this at a time they can’t find the funds for badly-needed emergency action teams for incidents, such as serious road accidents,’ Mr Jenner told the Lochaber Times. ‘Roads are often closed for hours to allow for specialist teams to come from outwith the area. It strikes me as just another example of centralised decision making.’