Reaction to Metropolitan Police Authority statement on extended rollout of Taser

26 November 2008

 

Following reports by the Metropolitan Police Authority concerning the extended rollout of Taser,   Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

“The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has been wholly irresponsible suggesting the wider rollout of Taser will cause fear and damage public confidence in the police. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to show this has been the case during the past year in any of the 10 pilot sites.

“The  MPA’s inference that Tasers will be deployed to all Metropolitan officers without the necessary skills and  training needed to use it appropriately and proportionately is a slur on the professionalism of police officers in London and across the country and demonstrates a lack of understanding of how, when and where Tasers will be deployed as part of this extended rollout.

“Whilst I understand the introduction of different operational processes may be greeted with caution this needless scaremongering is not helpful at a time when the Home Secretary should be applauded for instituting change that will not only protect police officers doing their duty but ensure the safety of the public. “

ENDS

 

 

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