£10 million investment in Taser welcome

30 September 2019

An extra £10 million is being allocated to forces to allow them to increase the number of officers carrying Taser.

The investment, announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday, has been welcomed by Derbyshire Police Federation chair Tony Wetton who, only last week, called on the Government to give forces funding for a full roll-out of Taser so that officers could better protect themselves and their communities.

“I am pleased that the Home Office has responded to what we in the Federation have been saying for some time now,” says Tony, “All police officers who want to be trained to carry Taser should undergo the training course and then be equipped with these devices. This extra funding may not allow the full roll-out we would like to see but it will significantly increase the number of officers who will be able to carry Taser to help protect themselves and the public and this is good news.”

The ring-fenced Home Office funding could mean around 10,000 more officers across England and Wales will be able to have Taser.

Mrs Patel explained: “I’ve been completely appalled by the recent spate of serious assaults on police officers, which is why I’m giving chief constables the resources to dramatically increase the number of their officers who carry Tasers.

“They keep us safe and now I’m giving them what they need to keep themselves safe on the job.”

A Police Federation of England and Wales survey has found 94 per cent of officers think Taser should be issued to more front-line staff.

National Federation chair John Apter said: “The Home Secretary has listened and she has acted, this is absolutely the right decision for my members and for policing.”

He added: “Officers are telling me daily they are feeling vulnerable and often isolated due to the lack of this vital protective equipment which has saved the lives and prevented serious injuries; this is why I felt so strongly that all officers who want to be trained and carry Taser should be able to.”