Taser

The 12-month operational trial of the Taser, the hand-held electrical weapon designed to incapacitate rather than lethally injure, began on Monday April 21st, 2003.

Five British forces took part in the 12-month long trial – Lincolnshire Police, the Metropolitan Police, Northamptonshire Police, North Wales Police and Thames Valley Police. The Home Office extended the operational trial to include all Police Forces for an unspecified period. The trial involved the Taser being used by trained specialist firearms officers in circumstances where they are authorised to draw weapons.

The participating Forces used the M26 Advanced Taser, a single shot weapon designed to incapacitate the subject temporarily through the use of an electrical current.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has been researching less-lethal options to complement conventional firearms for some time and the Government recently announced support for the trial by British Police.

Mr Paul Acres, Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police and Chair of the ACPO Conflict Management Business Area, said: “The aim of every police officer when faced with a violent or aggressive person in the most extreme of circumstances is to resolve the situation safely where possible, without resorting to lethal force. Only when this is not possible are lethal options considered.

“Any use of force by a police officer has to be proportionate and reasonable and there are situations where use of a Taser may be more appropriate than a conventional firearm. The Taser is a safer, less lethal option, the use of which is Human Rights-compatible and gives the chance for officers to incapacitate temporarily and overpower, rather than lethally injure someone.

“The Taser has been rigorously researched and it will be used only by specialist, highly-trained firearms officers, with the aim of resolving difficult situations effectively and safely.”

The Taser technology has been tested by the Police Scientific Development Branch and a medical assessment has been carried out by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

During the trial, the Taser was deployed only alongside conventional firearms in situations where a person was armed or thought to pose such a threat that the use of a firearm by a police officer may be necessary.

Taser is now being implemented into other forces following the trial period.

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