The Taser issue .....

[Tefal]

Th i'm happier with the batton and the spray.

And the response units with guns and tasers for more serious thing.

I just worry if they become standard they will become over used and put people at risk (heart attacks rtc) even in situations where such force isn't required because it works and almost always will end the confrontation instantly with little risk to the officer (so they'll be encouraged to use them more and more to get better stats)

 

[russell664]

I would rather be taser than shot

True this.

But if guns etc... Are more widely used, then the system could be abused. But then again, I'm not really sure how this all works.

 

[BlackDragon]

What will be the process if the police federation vote in favour of arming themselves with Tasers? Not that I am in favour of this, but I want to know there is independent oversight of its use, and inappropriate use is dealt with seriously.

I lack faith in the above happening, given that this BBC article published yesterday showed the police corruption is not being adequately dealt with.

I worry that our police force will become more like the police in the US, where they are increasingly militarized, dealing with situations with threats of violence, use of inappropriate force resulting in injury and deaths. Worst of all, they rarely face the same punishment that an ordinary member of the public would get if they carried out the same action.

In my opinion, weapons (beyond sprays and batons) should be limited to specialized units where we can more be confident of appropriate use of force.

 

[andi]

I'd rather be tasered than shot.

I'd rather be tasered than batoned. Or CS'd for that matter. CS is bloody horrible.

 

[MrMoonX]

Terrorism. Great excuse to spy on everybody.
Terrorism. Great excuse to arm all police.

It's the bogeyman that keeps on giving for Governments around the world to tighten the yoke around civilians whilst claiming to protect use.

Look at how the police in America are being militarised, for example.

+1

The met already use "terrorism" laws to oppress non-terrorists and protestors

 

[Cold_And_Miserable]

What about other less-lethal weapons like stinger grenades, bean bag shotguns, plastic bullets?

 

[Mynight]

What about other less-lethal weapons like stinger grenades, bean bag shotguns, plastic bullets?

Stinger grenades are pretty indescriminate they'll affect everyone in the area. I could be wrong but bean bag shot and plastic bullets can cause substantial damage even though they're not penetrating.

Taser would probably be the most safe of those options.

 

[Tefal]

What about other less-lethal weapons like stinger grenades, bean bag shotguns, plastic bullets?

all significantly more dangerous and potentially deadly.

 

[Judgeneo]

UK deaths by terror in the last decade: 58
UK deaths by police in the last decade: 23 (shootings), 207 death during custody. Total: 230 excluding road incidents and presumed suicide.
UK police deaths in the last decade: 13


For reference, about 5 people die per year due to bee stings, and 40 deaths per year are due to childbirth.


More force is, as usual, not the answer.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

I would rather be taser than shot

I'd rather be tasered than hit with a colaspable batton.

 

[Zbornak]

What will be the process if the police federation vote in favour of arming themselves with Tasers? Not that I am in favour of this, but I want to know there is independent oversight of its use, and inappropriate use is dealt with seriously.

The final say goes to the Chief Constable of the different forces who will all say they can't afford to arm every officer with Tasers - so you needn't worry!

 

[Tefal]

The training would need to be approved by the governing body who dictates all police firearms training. A program would be developed and delivered across the whole country and it would be rigourous.

so why is it in America when the police open fire they usually miss a hell of a lot and wound civilians?

 

[Unbeliever]

You'd need to ask an American cop that. I'm not familiar with their training or operating procedures. America has a gun culture, I'm not really sure comparing British policing to American is really justified.

 

[Amp34]

The training would need to be approved by the governing body who dictates all police firearms training. A program would be developed and delivered across the whole country and it would be rigourous. Instructors have to justify their decision in passing you competent to carry a firearm. I'm up every month for refresher training. We take it very seriously.

I believe it, however the point is would the police be able to afford the time and money to train every member of the frontline police service to that level? It's just not going to happen.

With respect to Tasers you have the same problem. A quick two day course really shouldn't be what is needed before handing someone a potentially lethal weapon, however would the police be able to afford to do a proper intensive course for every police officer in the country? I doubt it.

 

[Amp34]

Have a load of posts gone missing in this thread? There appear to be at least two missing, a post by dowie replying to me and a post by me responding back.

 

[~>Dg<~]

probably been tasered

 

[Tefal]

You'd need to ask an American cop that. I'm not familiar with their training or operating procedures. America has a gun culture, I'm not really sure comparing British policing to American is really justified.

when its applied to everyone standards drop simply because there wouldn't be enough time or money to keep the training up for everyone.

heck even the British police have shot each other a few times iirc they shot one of thier own when shooting that duggen feller.

 

[JohnnyG]

Have a load of posts gone missing in this thread? There appear to be at least two missing, a post by dowie replying to me and a post by me responding back.

Two isn't a load and no, none have according to the mod log.

 

[Tefal]

Have a load of posts gone missing in this thread? There appear to be at least two missing, a post by dowie replying to me and a post by me responding back.

wwrong thread?