It appears the Police Fed are getting frustrated that all officers aren't being given the little electric lumps of plastic that are Taser. It appears that Senior officers, who probably aren't in a position of ever being trained to use one, are deciding that all and sundry should be given one.
Unfortunately, as good as the weapon is, the main issue with them is the training issues and how the weapons are going to be deployed.
Where are the weapons going to be kept in the nick? They certainly aren't personal issue!
Who is going to maintain the weapons?
If there are not enough weapons to give to a shift then who on the shift will carry them? Sergeants? PSU officers? Where are these mysterious officers going to be magicked up from?
The basic logistics are a nightmare...
I was party to an exchange between a couple of Sergeants and an Inspector who were discussing the issue...
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Insp: Well I think everyone on my team should be given a TASER. It will really make a difference out there.
PS: OK, but are you aware the armed response cars give you 24 hour coverage as they are based in your borough?
Insp: Well yes, but at serious incidents, when it's needed, we should have trained officers there to deal.
PS: But you realise that over the past X years that the armed cars have been working the area with TASER you haven't requested them to attend a single incident with the authority?
Insp: Well err.. that isn't the point..
PS: If the incident were that serious then armed units, with TASER, would be the first to attend anyway. You seem to think that TASER will solve a problem you simply don't have?
Insp: .....
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I'm on the Sergeants side on this one and I entirely agree that TASER appears to be creating more issues than it solves. Although I admit I am watching any particular forces role out with interest...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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4 Disgruntled comments:
I think all police officers should now be given tasers.In self defence.
Your comments back in September 2006 as a bog-standard response / patrol bobby were;
"Suspect not playing ball? Being a bit of an arse? Needs a little persuasion? Tazer the bugger! (Yes, I am very pro Tazer and would carry one tomorrow).
Why the change of heart?
The reality is that when it goes tits up and someone pulls out a large kitchen knife in front of you, it would be good to have Mr Taser in your pocket. The fact that the ARVs may be ten minutes away (at best) is not going to do you much good when your life could depend on what happens in the next ten seconds.
Certainly in our force our ARVs are very reluctant to attend any sort of incident due to them carrying 'firearms.' Locals even have to attend firearms jobs first to assess the situation. I agree with cockney copper, no point having a taser 10 minutes away when you need one at that moment.
Cockney Copper - Good point re the change of view.
I think my view changed with my job role. When I completed the training I realised how unaware I was of the tactics involved in using the weapon and how 'shooting' a taser is more difficult then just sticking a dot on the subject.
North Cop - I would say that your ARVs are being workshy to say the least. It doesn't take 30 seconds to secure your pistol and a mag away securely before attending an incident. I am certainly more than willing to assist in any incident out on borough whether that be an assistant shout or an SFI.
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