Fed chair determined to see every officer Taser-trained

13 February 2023

‘We will continue to campaign for every officer to be Taser-trained and not stop until we see those results,’ says West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke, as plans are put in place to immediately boost Taser-trained officers by an extra 400 in the next six months.

Rich’s comments follow the completion of the West Midlands Police STRA (strategic threat and risk assessment), a document that aims to provide a more evidence-based model to help identify how many Taser-trained officers are needed and where.

Rich, along with the branch’s health and safety lead, Deano Walker, has been liaising with Force Taser lead Martin Hurcomb to consult on the STRA with a view to increasing the number of officers with access to training so they can carry the devices. 

“As a Federation, our long-term strategic aim is for every frontline officer to be Taser-trained and I pledge that we in no way will recoil from that. We will continue to campaign until the end, until we see that result,” said Rich.

“Statistics show that over the last two years, of nearly 3,000 incidents that involved the use of a Taser, there were zero findings of misconduct against those officers and very few complaints. 

“Not only does having a Taser make officers up to nine times safer from being assaulted but hearing that there have not been any findings of misconduct against those officers demonstrates the professionalism of our cops. It also shows that any prospective trainees can have absolute confidence in the quality of the training provided.

“I also want officers to feel confident that they have the backing of the Force and Federation in using Tasers whenever necessary to protect the public appropriately.”

With figures showing there was a 30 per cent increase in weapon-enabled crime during 2021/22, and record knife homicide figures out this week, Rich says that the only way to mitigate this additional threat is to put in extra control measures, such as deployable Taser-trained officers.

“This 30 per cent increase means that both members of the public and our officers are at higher risk. As a Federation, we recognise that the political discourse around Tasers and other use of force has had a chilling effect on officers putting themselves forward for a role which is a highly valued one.

“Being Taser-trained will give our officers the necessary protection they need, so they can confidently do their job and protect the public.”

Earlier this year, the Federation asked for a review of the number of Taser-trained officers and training capability, expressing concerns about the decline in the number of officers who have completed refresher training, something that must be completed every 12 months.

“Look, Tasers have been with us for the best part of two decades now, they’re nothing new - and public surveys prove that using Tasers is widely accepted by the communities we serve,” added Rich.

Following persistent campaigning from the Federation, the plan is for the number of Taser-trained officers to reach nearly 1,500 by April, which is a 400 increase on current figures.

And, for the first time ever, the distribution of Taser officers will take into account which locations face the highest risk of danger, for example, response and neighbourhood teams in areas of high violence.

“Furthermore, we will be encouraging sergeants in key roles such as response to train and retrain so they can provide the frontline leadership role they have told us they want to do,” continued Rich, who explained consideration will also be given to student officers nearing the end of their probationary period.

West Midlands officers Leon Mittoo and James Willets received last year’s Emergency Services Pride of Britain Award, having been repeatedly stabbed on duty while helping to detain two dangerous offenders. 

Both Leon and James were just one-and-a-half years into their probation period when the incident happened back in the summer of 2021.

As well as expressing his congratulations for the courageous duo, Rich has also said that what happened to Leon and James is just one example of the potential risk officers are facing every day.

“There’s no job like that of a police officer,” added Rich, “We are expected to put ourselves in danger every single day to do our job and protect the public. But the thing is, these spontaneous attacks can happen to any of us. Fortunately, both Leon and James were wearing stab vests but what’s scary is, if they hadn’t been wearing those, things could’ve been very different.”

The two offenders were carrying backpacks containing multiple dangerous weapons, including a gun, hammer and machete.

Rich continued: “Who knows what those men would’ve done if they hadn’t been dealt with by our officers? But there’s no denying it, Leon and James were lucky to get away with minor physical injuries.

“This is just one example that demonstrates the vital need and importance of our frontline officers being Taser-trained. 

“We’re seeing more and more often that officers are choosing not to act, to protect themselves - and who can blame them? More people carrying armed weapons and violence against officers is increasing yet we’re expecting our officers to approach these dangerous people, putting themselves at risk, without their own protection. It just doesn’t make sense.

“Those attackers could’ve harmed a lot more people. Carrying a Taser not only instils that confidence in officers but will, I’m positive, lead to a reduction in crime numbers while ultimately ensuring members of the public and our Force are protected.”

Photo credit Axon.