TASER is an \u201cabsolutely vital tool\u201d which officers are reluctant to use unless they have no other option, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Chairman Steve Kent made the comments following a report from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) that called for greater scrutiny on the weapon\u2019s use.<\/p>\n
Steve also singled out the IOPC for what he described as \u201cpolitical \u201ccomments that threatened the body\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe IOPC consistently comes out with statements like this that make a mockery of their \u2018independence\u2019, because they\u2019re passing judgement and becoming political when it\u2019s not their job to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaser is an absolutely vital tool. Being a Taser-trained officer myself it\u2019s not something that\u2019s used every day. Cops are reluctant to use it unless they absolutely have to.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the five years I carried a Taser I only used it once. People out there are not trigger-happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the vast majority of cases, Taser is used proportionally and it\u2019s absolutely needed because what\u2019s the alternative?<\/p>\n
\u201cMembers of the public get injured in the cases of self-harm, cops get injured, which is unacceptable, or victims get injured when there\u2019s people going around with baseball bats.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause if you don\u2019t have a Taser the next proportionate use of force may be something more deadly like a baton or even a firearm. So people need to be careful what they wish for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis just sends out a really bad message and proves that the IOPC are anything but independent and that they seem to have an agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n
The IOPC report claimed that stakeholders have raised concerns over the \u201cdisproportionate use of Taser against black people and those with mental ill health\u201d. It called for more transparency around how and when Taser is used and \u201cmore research to understand issues of disproportionality\u201d.<\/p>\n
Steve accepted that officer who discharge Taser should be scrutinised fairly.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cPolice officers expect that and everybody expects that scrutiny, but it needs to be in a timely and fair manner. I think that the IOPC should be reformed into an overseeing body rather than an investigative one.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Police Federation of England and Wales also criticised the IOPC\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n
PFEW Conduct and Performance Lead Phill Matthews said: \u201cWe do not recognise and disagree there is a disproportionate use of Taser against BAME communities or people with mental ill health \u2013 and we are certainly not aware of any concluded cases where an officer has been criticised on their use of Taser by the IOPC.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut of course, we will wait and see if any recommendations or findings come out of its investigations, and if so, we will work with the IOPC to change policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phill added: \u201cWe remain convinced that Taser is an essential piece of equipment which saves the lives of both officers and members of the public. We are very much still a country that polices by consent. And given the huge number of incidents police officers attend, the number of times Taser is used remains very small. The mere presence of the equipment is often enough to de-escalate situations, making it extremely effective.\u201d<\/p>\n