Frontline bobbies to get taser guns
Beat bobbies across East Yorkshire are being armed with 50,000 volt taser guns for the first time, the Mail can reveal.
Around 50 officers are being trained in the use of the "non-lethal" weapons in Hull and the East Riding.
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Previously, only a handful of specially-trained armed response officers (AROs) had been authorised to carry and use the controversial taser gun.
As a result, officers in dangerous situations have had to wait for a team of armed officers covering the whole of East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire – which can take some time.
Now, incident response officers across the region are being, or have been, trained to use the weapon.
They will be able to deal with situations themselves in a matter of minutes.
The tasers deliver a high voltage charge at a relatively low current and are designed to incapacitate rather than cause serious injury.
Superintendent Ray Higgins, who runs the operation branch in Hull, said he believes the introduction will protect the police and public.
He said: "We use the tasers to achieve compliance, not everyone quietly and calmly gets into the back of police vehicles.
"But generally just pointing the taser and placing the red dots on a suspect makes them realise they will be instantly debilitated and they co-operate.
"The taser is regarded as less lethal than an asp, which can cause lasting damage.
"I am happy my officers on the street have these devices at their disposal and although from time to time they may have to be fired, I believe it will only be very rare occasions."
When the training programme has been completed, 100 officers will be allowed to use the weapon across the entire force area.
It comes after former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced a year ago that funding would be made available for tasers and invited applications from forces.
Some officers have completed their training and are on patrol now armed with the device.
Anyone causing trouble who ignores warnings and is deemed a threat could potentially be tasered anywhere in Hull and the East Riding.
The figures back up Supt Higgins view that tasers are often deployed, but never fired.
Since Humberside Police was authorised to equip firearms officers with tasers in 2004, they have been used 210 times.
But on more than half of those occasions the incident was recorded as 'red dot' – meaning the officer placed the laser sight onto a subject but did not actually discharge the weapon.
Only in 38 cases did an officer fire the barbs into a person.
The move has also been strongly supported by the Police Federation.
Steve Garmston, chair of the Humberside Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, says the introduction of tasers to frontline officers will reduce violent crime, and protect both the public and police officers.
He said: "It is a fantastic, non-lethal weapon, which has been proven to diffuse situations rapidly.
"Rarely are they actively fired – red dotting is more than sufficient to subdue people.
"All the officers have been hand picked for their temperament and have either been trained, or are going through the process this month.
"The taser is great to have in the armoury for beat bobbies and incident resolution officers as they are the people who need it most. It is those officers on the frontline."
Last year the Mail revealed five police officers in East Yorkshire are assaulted every week in the line of duty.
Over the past six years, 1,536 police officers have been assaulted on the job.
57 Comments
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by kerry, East Yorksire
Friday, March 05 2010, 11:45PM
“Oh dear me , our local police, pocklington area, well what can i say , one is now serving a long jail sentence and the local bobby well he's power mad , his young side kick is just as bad , giving them a taser each just does not bear thinking about ,”
by Seamus, Limerick
Thursday, March 04 2010, 8:24AM
“Peter Barker-G it¿s a shame
To give other people the blame.
While you¿re just as free
To write them as me
Please publish them in your own name.”
by 1jayboj, Hull , east Yorkshire , Humberside
Thursday, March 04 2010, 5:29AM
“I have a great idea. let the police use the tazers on there own officers. A perfect time to try this would be on a friday,saturday night when there has been a function at the police club down inglemire lane. were you can quite clearly see officers staggering out of the club and into there cars. Im sure if you were to stop some of these officers and read them there rights , then they may resist arrest. therefore warrant the use of a tazer gun. for all those people who think that the police are as holly as thou, think again. remmeber that inicent protester that they killed the other year ian tomlinson. remember Mr Alder, 37, ex para and Falklands veteran , died in cells as the police stood round making monkey noises at him. How knows maybe some of you would have been happy for the police to use tazer guns on these people first before killing them. I don't know some people have a strange take on reality and also very limited memories.”
by Yeah right, as if!
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 8:14PM
“What nonsense! Imagine the cost! It may happen within the next ten years, but it is far from imminent!”
by Peter Barkwith-Gilford, Bishops Helmet
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 8:09PM
“I say, about time the bobbies had a little something to keep the filthy drug riddled asylum seekers from fornicating with our ladies. I would like to see then shake their electric sticks at a ladyboy or two...
By the way I enjoyed the latest effort from Seamus - far better than his usual rubbish.”
by Grumpy Old Man, Market Rasen
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 7:43PM
“It is not before time the police are given some additional measure to deal with the knuckle dragging sub human element of this City. If you abide by the law you will never encounter the use of this deterent.”
by peter parker, my web
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 6:56PM
“This could turn out to be a good thing to go into town for friday and saturday night. Watching the numptys all tazer popping its going to be alot better then them body popping they will empty there bowels at the end of there dance”
by Anon, Brough
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 6:15PM
“Great that the police have got this protection. Isn't it also great that our joke criminal justice system will let the violent offenders quickly back out for a second, third, fourth, etc shock.”
by Sam, Hull
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 6:09PM
“When I hear the police saying that tazers will only be used when they feel under threat I think of the photographer who was arrested in Chatham high street last year because the cops felt threatened.
What had the guy done to make the police feel threatened I hear you ask.
He was 6'6" tall.
Seriously... Google it.”
by in the know, Laptop
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 5:34PM
“No you do not have to be Tasered to carry one. The officers have to be checked and vetted before they can be authorised to carry a Taser. Watch any Taser clip on youtube and you will see that the tasered person or animal is OK once the power is shut off. If you are hit with a baton you will most doubt receive a lasting injury, if you are subjected to spray you will feel the effects for hours and so may anyone nearby including the police. The Taser has a memory and each discharged is monitored and has to be justified.
I admit there are some bad coppers but the good far outweigh this number. Bad news travels fast and good news is never printed.
The Taser is a very good and safe weapon against the very small percentage of those who wish to cause others harm.
Unless you are in this minority then you have nothing to worry about”