Taser training for sergeants: time for a re-think

12 January 2022

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke said one of his main priorities for 2022 would be keeping up the pressure on the Force to reverse the recent decision to stop funding Taser refresher courses for newly-promoted sergeants and ensure as many officers as possible have the opportunity to carry Taser.

Rich said he would be pushing the Force until it recognised the common sense of the branch’s position and changed its mind before an officer or member of the public was seriously hurt as a result of the ill-advised policy.

He said: “No one should have to go on duty worrying about being assaulted but unfortunately it is happening all too often and our members deserve to be properly protected as they go about their jobs.

“We are also keeping a very close eye on what direction policing across our region will take in the coming months and if it is yet again guided by budgetary decisions that make little sense to the officers risking their lives on the frontline every day.”
Rich said he shared the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s vision of bringing back local control and ownership of policing with the obvious benefits that brings to communities in terms of a preventative, visible and accountable approach.

But he warned such a goal would be very difficult to achieve while police stations were being closed and experienced officers were either leaving the Force over pay and pensions frustrations or being shifted sideways into FCID and PPU due to the massive burden they are under with investigations.