EVERY every frontline officer should have a Taser, according to South Yorkshire Police Federation.<\/p>\n
The Home Office has announced that the force is to receive funding for 156 more Tasers.<\/p>\n
And South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent said the personal protective equipment should be available to every officer.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cOur stance is that every frontline officer should have Taser. Thankfully we\u2019re a bit ahead of the curve with this, because as well as the centrally-funded Taser, the Chief Constable has assured us that we\u2019re going to be getting them for 50-60% of all frontline officers, which will see us increase our numbers a lot more.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs it stands, that\u2019s the biggest proportion of Taser per officer of any metropolitan force.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police is already starting to roll out its increase in Taser usage and training, and Steve said the extra Government provision was a \u201cbonus\u201d.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cThe pros of Taser massively outweigh the cons. Yes, there\u2019s still a public perception that they\u2019re dangerous, but I\u2019d ask anybody to say objectively what would they rather be, hit by a baton or Tasered, when the effects are only temporary?<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a Taser officer myself, and it gives you that extra tool in your belt not only to look after yourself, but also to protect members of the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only time I\u2019ve used it is when I Tasered somebody who was seriously self-harming with a large knife. If I\u2019d have got nearer there\u2019s no doubt she would have used it on me, and she\u2019d have injured herself more if it wasn\u2019t for the fact that I Tasered her and controlled her, so she could get the treatment she needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the publicity around it, the public are more aware that police officers are getting it and that also means the criminal fraternity are more aware. They see this big yellow Taser \u2013 it\u2019s a deterrent and a great tool to have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales bid for extra Tasers in January, as part of a Home Office drive to give police more powers and tools to tackle crime. The Government made available a ringfenced fund of \u00a310m nationally, of which South Yorkshire will receive \u00a3128,700, to provide 156 Tasers.<\/p>\n
Of the 43 forces in England and Wales, 41 submitted a request to increase the number of Tasers available to officers. The total number or Taser asked for by PCCs was 8,155, at a cost of \u00a36.7m.<\/p>\n
The new money is intended to cover until March 2021. A further \u00a3150,000 has been allocated for the training of Taser instructors. The remainder of the \u00a310m will be used to tackle serious violence and County Lines drug gangs.<\/p>\n
PFEW Chair John Apter said: \u201cThis was a unique opportunity for forces to secure extra protections without shouldering the majority of the cost. I would have liked to have seen every penny of the \u00a310m funding used to fund more Taser. At a time when officer safety is dominating the headlines, I am surprised that some forces chose not to take advantage of this extra funding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Making the announcement, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: \u201cOur brave police officers put themselves in harm\u2019s way to protect us all and Taser is an important tactical option in potentially dangerous situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis funding forms part of our commitment to ensure forces have the powers, resources and tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.\u201d<\/p>\n