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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Police stun gun expansion planned | Police stun gun expansion planned |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| More frontline police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans. | More frontline police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans. |
| Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can be used only by firearms officers confronted by an armed person. | Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can be used only by firearms officers confronted by an armed person. |
| Home Secretary John Reid will tell the Police Federation of England and Wales he wants non-firearms officers working in specialist units to have the weapon. | Home Secretary John Reid will tell the Police Federation of England and Wales he wants non-firearms officers working in specialist units to have the weapon. |
| But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended. | But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended. |
| TASER FACTS Deliver electric shocks to temporarily paralyse targetDo this by using compressed air to fire two darts that trail electric cable back to the handsetFive-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cableLaser helps with aim. Gun works at up to 21ft (6.5m)When fired, up to 40 ID tags released identifying the officer Police stun gun diagram | TASER FACTS Deliver electric shocks to temporarily paralyse targetDo this by using compressed air to fire two darts that trail electric cable back to the handsetFive-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cableLaser helps with aim. Gun works at up to 21ft (6.5m)When fired, up to 40 ID tags released identifying the officer Police stun gun diagram |
| The campaign group claims the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada. | The campaign group claims the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada. |
| But Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said his members welcomed an expansion of Taser. | |
| "If there is a need to use force then in some circumstances it would be better to use a Taser," he said. | |
| "It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly. At the moment they have a baton and CS gas. | |
| "There is no long-term effect with Taser. But if someone is batoned or [gassed] there are long-term effects." | |
| During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. | During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. |
| They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires. | They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires. |
| A total of 3,000 have been issued so far, but only specially trained officers can use them. | |
| A sub-committee of Britain's Defence Scientific Advisory Council looked at the medical implications of Taser use in 2004. | A sub-committee of Britain's Defence Scientific Advisory Council looked at the medical implications of Taser use in 2004. |
| It concluded that the risk of life-threatening or serious injuries from the M26 gun used by police in England and Wales was "very low". | It concluded that the risk of life-threatening or serious injuries from the M26 gun used by police in England and Wales was "very low". |
| Pilot planned | Pilot planned |
| The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads. | The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads. |
| Under its plans, officers will also be able to use the stun guns if they face violence or threats, not just if they are confronted by someone with a weapon. | |
| All incidents in which Tasers are discharged are referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which investigates complaints made against the police. | All incidents in which Tasers are discharged are referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which investigates complaints made against the police. |
| At the Police Federation conference in Blackpool on Wednesday, Mr Reid is expected to announce a 12-month pilot scheme to test the Taser expansion. | At the Police Federation conference in Blackpool on Wednesday, Mr Reid is expected to announce a 12-month pilot scheme to test the Taser expansion. |
| This is expected to begin in September, subject to approval by medical experts, and will involve 11 forces. | This is expected to begin in September, subject to approval by medical experts, and will involve 11 forces. |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |