10,000 more officers to get Taser

30 September 2019

Around 10,000 more officers are expected to be trained and equipped with Taser after the Home Office announced a £10 million investment programme.

The news, announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday, has been welcomed by West Midlands Police Federation.

Secretary Steve Grange explained: “Taser is an essential bit of kit for modern-day policing. For some time, the Federation has been calling on the Government to give forces the funding they need to be able to offer training to all officers who want to carry Taser and then equip them with the devices.

“A recent Police Federation survey found that 94 per cent of officers think Taser should be issued to more front-line staff so I am pleased to see that the Home Secretary appears to have been listening to the views of those who understand the challenges being faced by officers on a daily basis.

“Taser not only helps officers to protect themselves but also means they can effectively protect their communities. Police chiefs have been doing their best to get more officers equipped with Taser but with limited funding have struggled to do so and therefore this new funding is a big boost.”

Announcing the ring-fenced Home Office funding, the Home Secretary said: “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.”

National Federation chair John Apter has also welcomed the new investment. He 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.”