Federation would “actively encourage” more Taser for officers

OFFICERS must have the correct equipment when they go out on patrol if they are to properly protect the public.

Zuleika Payne said South Yorkshire Police Federation would “actively encourage” the force to equip more officers with Taser.

The Metropolitan Police has announced it will increase the number of Taser-trained officers by nearly 2,000, while Surrey Police is tripling the number of Taser-trained officers by 2020.

Neighbouring West Yorkshire Police Federation is currently surveying its members on whether they want more Taser.

Zuleika said: “We would welcome an uplift in Taser capability in South Yorkshire. We have to make a distinction between the number of times a request is made for a deployment, against the number of times there’s an actually discharge.

“But what is crucial is that we give officers the appropriate equipment, because at the end of the day we expect them to go out and serve and protect, and it’s how we protect the very individuals that we make that request of. It’s important that we give them the right equipment if they are to be effective in protecting the general public.

“We would actively encourage and support a move from the force in this direction.”