Officers should be equipped with the “best kit available”

TASER has saved life or prevented serious injury, and is a vital tool for officers if they are to defend themselves from violence.

Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said Taser is proven worldwide to be safe – and officers should be equipped with the “best kit available”.

He said: “Taser has been proved worldwide as over 97% safe to use on people, it is of course tragic if someone dies as a result of its use. It is a less-lethal option not non-lethal.

“In the Use of Force Continuum, where verbal communication is lowest and firearms the highest on the scale; the use of Taser comes lower on the scale than an Asp or a Police Dog bite.

“Society needs to protect the Officers charged with keeping everyone safe, they need to be equipped with the best kit available. Time and time again Taser has saved life and prevented serious injury being caused.”