Cops Taser focused
Record number of police using electric shock weapons as assaults on them are rocketing
A RECORD number of police officers are now routinely carrying Tasers while on patrol or attending incidents.
The Sunday Mail can reveal that officers trained in the use of the devices – which can discharge 50,000-volt electric shocks – has gone up from 500 to an all time high of 2000.
The rise in the number of Taser-carrying cops – known as STOs (Specially Trained Officers) – follows an increase in assaults on police officers.
Last week the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland reported officers felt increasingly unsafe and vulnerable due to a drop in staffing levels.
The increase in Taser carr ying has been welcomed by the Scottish Police Federation.
They claim it will give increased protection to members – who include officers up to the rank of Chief Inspector.
David Threadgold, the SPF chair, wants to see all 16,300 police officers issued with the devices.
He added: “Our world can quickly escalate from nothing to a very serious situation. That is why a Taser is now an important p iece of per s onal protection equipment.”
“The presence of Tasers will de- escalatete huge numbers off scenarios before they ev e r become critical.
“Of ficers goo through a rigorous training programme.”
The Tas e r
SUPPORT David Threadgold figures were released during a meeting of oversight body, the Scottish Police Authority, by Chief Constable Jo Farrell.
She said: “Taser gives officers an additional tactical option to keep people safe.”
The increase in STOs was first announced by former chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone in September 2021.
Until 2018, Tasers were only carried by firearms police. They are normally used to incapacitate a person acting in a threatening or violent manner, allowing them to be detained or arrested.
A report to the SPA in December revealed 20 members of the public have been injured since Police Scotland began routinely using Tasers in 2018.
Nine discharges of the weapons involved young people under 18. Two of the Taser cases were referred to the
SHOCKER
Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), with one involving a boy of 11 and the other a 15-year-old.
The incident with the 11- year- old happened after officers attended Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayr in March last year.
Tasers have been deployed at 8438 incidents in Scotland since 2018 and fired 283 times.
One of the most recent involved a bully-type dog in Hamilton in January, which was out of control.
Scottish Conservative deputy justice spokesperson Sharon Dowey MSP said: “Police officers must have the necessary tools to do their jobs and keep the public safe.
“Tasers are an essential tool, however, there must be strict safeguards in place to ensure they are used in the correct manner and are a proportionate response.”
Police Scotland said: “Taser will only be used when it’s proportionate, necessary and justified.
PIRC said the incidents involving the 11 and 15- year- olds were fully investigated with reports being provided to the Chief Constable.
Nick Hobbs, of the Children and Young Peoples Commissioner Scotland,Sco added: “O ur of f i c e remremains seriously concerned con about the th potential for Tasers T to be used u whe re the there may be more effectiveeffec and safer ways to de-de-escalate highpressuredpressured ssituations.”