| The police are responsible for the safety of our | | | | officer, or the subject. This means they have to |
| communities and their residents. They must be | | | | justify their use of a taser and how this was in |
| equipped with everything they need to perform | | | | the interest of safety. These officers carry a |
| their duties effectively and sometimes this | | | | taser for such situations only. |
| requires a little extra force. After a trial carried | | | | Following the further success of this trial, tasers |
| out in England and Wales with five police forces, | | | | were made much more readily available. Police |
| the police use of tasers came into effect across | | | | forces in England and Wales were asked to |
| the entire country. | | | | inform the home office of how many tasers they |
| Chief officers are now able to give special police | | | | would like. The funding was made available for up |
| officers the power to carry and use a taser gun | | | | to 10,000 new tasers. |
| if the situation warrants the police use of tasers. | | | | Since the taser provides a very effective and non |
| The association of chief police officers have laid | | | | lethal way of preventing dangerous acts, their use |
| out the guidelines which determine when a taser | | | | has been widespread and popular amongst those |
| can be deployed and these are the most | | | | that have benefited from their advantages. |
| dangerous of occasions. As of 2007, the home | | | | Specific research into the medical implications |
| office has permitted police officers to use tasers | | | | following the police use of tasers has returned a |
| in a greater number of situations, following their | | | | very positive result. The risk of serious injury or |
| great initial success. | | | | death from tasers is very low indeed and thus |
| Firearms officers are incredibly well trained and | | | | their usage has not been opposed. |
| are able to use the most precise and calculating | | | | Since the police use of tasers can have many |
| of judgements to ensure a taser is used with | | | | important implications, they have been thoroughly |
| uppermost caution. In addition to firearms officers, | | | | tested. Two trials have been carried out involving |
| a trial was launched in 2007 in ten police forces in | | | | a total of 15 police forces across England and |
| England and Wales. As a result of this trial, which | | | | Wales and extensive medical research also |
| lasted for 12 months, the home office granted | | | | supports their usage. |
| chief officers the ability to permit certain police | | | | The police use of tasers can save lives and |
| officers to use a taser, in the circumstances | | | | specially trained officers now carry the device to |
| outlined by the association of chief police officers. | | | | protect the public, themselves, and occasionally |
| These officers are not firearms officers but they | | | | the person who is posing the threat. The fact |
| are specially trained in the use of a taser and | | | | that they are non lethal makes them a more |
| when to use them. | | | | sensible choice over firearms that are aimed to |
| The police use of tasers is limited to situations in | | | | kill. |
| which there is a risk to the public, the police | | | | |