Taser use must be properly controlled (Gordon Liberal Democrats)

Gordon Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Taser use must be properly controlled

February 25, 2010 4:50 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Robert BrownLiberal Democrat Justice Spokesman Robert Brown challenged the decision by the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police to pilot a scheme which costs £45, 000 to equip officers with Taser guns in a Liberal Democrat led debate today in the Scottish Parliament.

He outlined concerns that the use if Tasers in Police forces in Scotland should be a matter for parliament to decide and called on the government to make this a matter of legislation

Commenting he said

"Taser use in Scotland's police forces should be a policy issue and not an operational issue as the current First Minister seems to think. He and his government must step up to their responsibility and make sure those who are deployed with tasers have proper training.

"The current scheme being piloted by Strathclyde Police where they have armed 30 police officer with Tasers after only 3 days training, seems to be a decision that has only been taken by the Chief Constable, it certainly wasn't a decision made by the police board and even less so by the Scottish government.

"In England it is the Home Secretary that signs off use of tasers amongst police forces and we want to see this happen in Scotland. Blasting someone with 50,000 volts should be a last resort, and should only be carried by officers who have had proper firearm training.

"Scotland has an exceptional police force built on many years of face to face interaction with the public. It would be hugely disappointing if the widespread use of this weapon was to erode the relationship between the public and police forces in Scotland.

"The SNP government must step up to their responsibilities and make Taser use a policy issue that should be legislated and controlled properly."