Taser funding: allocations may be known next month

14 January 2020

Force allocations under the £10 million Government funding for up to 10,000 extra officers to be trained and equipped with Taser could be announced as early as next month, the Home Office has revealed.

The Government announced the ring-fenced funding before the General Election but earlier this week confirmed Police and Crime Commissioners can now bid for a share of the cash.

“I am pleased that the Government is acting quickly on this,” says Tony Wetton, chair of Derbyshire Police Federation, “I firmly believe that all officers who want to carry Taser should be trained and equipped to do so.

“While we have seen an increase in the number of officers carrying Taser, the Force has struggled to roll them out to all those who want to have them due to the effects of the Government’s budget cuts in recent years.

“Almost two years ago, when the findings of the Police Federation’s latest routine arming survey were revealed, we found that only a quarter of Derbyshire respondents, for whom it was applicable to their role, had access to Taser at all times when on duty despite the fact that more than three quarters (76 per cent) always wanted to have Taser with them.

“We have since been calling on the Government to give forces the funding to enable them to increase the number of officers equipped with Taser so I am pleased to see that this is now happening. However, we will have to see if a further cash injection is needed once this £10m has been used.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel, in opening the bidding process, said: “Our brave police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and I am committed to giving them the tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.

“The rise in assaults on officers is appalling which is why I am providing funding to equip up to 10,000 more officers with Taser - an important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations.”

The application process will involve PCCs outlining how many extra officers they plan to train to use Taser and then bidding via an online platform with their requests being based on the threat and risk in their local area.

The Home Office has said the final funding allocations for forces, which cover 2019/20 and 2020/21, will be announced as soon as February.