Cambridgeshire: More Taser Trained Police

By Tom Horn, 19th January 2012, 11:10

The number of police in Cambridgeshire who are trained to use tasers is going to be more than tripled.

Right now 46 officers are trained in using the weapon, which use an electric current to temporarily disable somebody.

Tasers have been used on 34 occasions in Cambridgeshire since 2008.

They are used when police are facing threats of severe violence, such as somebody with a knife or broken bottle.

Now, Cambridgeshire Police's Chief Constable Simon Parr has announced plans to train an extra 120 officers in the use of tasters.

The idea is that officers with taser training can be called upon and respond quicker if needed.

The Chief Constable's decision was noted by the Cambridgeshire Police Authority during a meeting of its Finances and Resources Committee yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

After noting the decision, The Cambridgeshire Police Authority tweeted: "Further monitoring and scrutiny reports on the deployment of taser will be required for the Authority's reassurance in future."

Chief Constable Simon Parr said: "The rules governing the use of taser will remain unchanged and the processes for the selection and training of specialist officers to use this device will continue to be to the same high standards we have always used.

Extending the use of taser to more specially trained officers means it can be made available more quickly when it is needed to protect the safety of the public. 

It can only be used where officers are facing  violence or threats of violence of such severity that they need to use force to protect, the public and themselves. 

It is not a replacement for existing options and will be used alongside negotiation, batons, incapacitant sprays and police dogs to resolve incidents peacefully."