Taser training to be available to officers with CVD

2 November 2020

The College of Policing’s change of policy to allow officers with Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD) to apply for Taser training will help protect officers and the public.

That’s the view of Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Geoff Bardell.

The College of Policing is establishing a new training and assessment process which means officers with CVD – who were previously excluded from Taser training - will now be assessed using a Taser fixed sight.

It follows successful lobbying by the Federation which had challenged the college over its original CVD Taser training standards on the grounds they were unfair and discriminatory. Fed reps argued it was putting officers at risk of being assaulted on duty.

Geoff said: “It was unfair that officers with CVD were facing the same dangers as their colleagues but did not have access to the same level of training and equipment.

“We know how effective Taser is at de-escalating potentially dangerous situations. Indeed, in 85 per cent of cases simply drawing the Taser safely defuses things and prevents physical interaction.

“This decision is a welcome step forward for those officers with CVD, and will offer them – and the public - better protection.”

In August, the Home Office also approved the new Taser 7, which uses a green laser and is suitable for officers with certain types of CVD - which affects one in 12 men and one in 200 women.

Steve Hartshorn, firearms and Taser lead for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said: “The Federation has been involved in actively challenging the College of Policing’s previous position. This was not fair, valid or reliable, and we have been seeking a positive resolution.

“The new training and assessment process will allow officers with CVD to apply for Taser training and to be deployed operationally if successful.

“The college’s revised process will be reviewed over time to ensure it remains current and fit for purpose. PFEW - via its network of local Federation reps - will be involved in that process.”