The ring-fenced funding could mean over 10,000 more
police officers in England and Wales will be able to
carry the devices to help protect themselves and the
public from harm.
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.
Taser is an important tactical option for police in
potentially dangerous situations.
Officers have to elect to be specially-trained to use
Taser and it is for Chief Constables to decide how many
carry the devices based on strategic assessments of
threat and risk in their force areas.
A recent Police Federation of England and Wales survey
found 94% of officers think Tasers should be issued to
more frontline staff.
The number of officers eligible to carry the device was
already increased in February this year when the then
Home Secretary gave permission for specially-selected
student officers to be trained in carrying them.
Today’s additional funding follows the government’s
promise to recruit 20,000 more police officers over the
next three years.
In addition, the National Policing Board has been
established to oversee the response to the most
pressing policing issues affecting communities.
The Home Office is also accelerating plans to establish
a police covenant which will focus on the physical
protection of officers, their health and wellbeing, and
support for the families of those injured or killed in
the line of duty.
