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Debate: should the police carry taser guns?

17 November 2008

Its been announced that ordinary bobbies on the beat will be trained to use taser guns.

Do you think the police should be allowed to carry taser guns?

  • Is this inevitable considering the rise in gun and knife crime?
  • Or will it lead to police abusing their powers?
  • What is your view on this? Tell us what you think?

 

Have your say, and debate the issue here on PCS comment, and a selection of the comments will be published in View, the monthly magazine for PCS members.

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  1. For it

    21 April 2010

    While Pepper Spray can work, it can also go into the eyes of near by people or police officers. Maybe not all police in the UK need tasers but maybe if they were given to officers in areas of high violence such as the poorer areas of many of the nations large cities. (ex. Manchester, Nottingham, etc) Tasers also give Police more respect, how can you feel safe calling the police while gettin Burguled when their best weapon against a criminal armed with glass cutters, knives, or blunt objects is a can of CS Spray?

    Kane C
    Tasers

    12 December 2008

    It would be interesting to know how many police officers have allegedly been kicked to death as suggested by Vicky. I would suggest that it is far fewer (single figures?) than the number of citizens who have been killed or seriously injured by the use of tasers. In addition I would also suggest that having to deal with violent behaviour goes with the job, and that is why the police are relatively well paid (and quite rightly so), but that the situation in the UK has not yet reached the level where we need to give the police the carte blanche use of tasers or guns. I would also suggest that it is important to note that many senior police officers are completely against increasing the use of tasers. I am also disappointed that Vicky has chosen to brand the anti-taser lobby as "do-gooders". What an odd choice of words.

    LIN BLACK
    really?

    12 December 2008

    To Vicky Lee. Have you ever seen anyone who has been pepper sprayed? I have. It is horrendous and has its own risks but I would be much happier to have a face full of that than a shot with a taser. And it isn't a case of being a do gooder, it is a case of seeing the bigger picture. The police don't want them, I don't want them and from reading this forum, a goodly number of people agree with me. Anti Terrorism laws are already being abused. How long before we have excuses made for over zealous use of tasers? Thin end of the wedge comrades, thin edge of the wedge.

    Dee Luxford
    Alternatives

    10 December 2008

    Tazers as an alternative to firearms is one thing and if it means fewer fatalities whilst disarming a person threatening with a weapon then that is preferable as it is a reduction in force used; tazers as an alternative to normal policing which may involve talking down an abusive drunk or even physically restraining someone is not acceptable as this is an escalation of force. The current restriction of tazers to highly trained firearms officers - who also receive ongoing refresher training is the sensible option. Even then they make mistakes. Broadening their availability will massively increase the potential for inappropriate use and the risk of fatality - even if that risk is small.

    Martin Menear
    better than guns!

    10 December 2008

    This country has had police officers kicked to death in riots, not to mention countless numbers being subjected to other forms of violence. I think it's about time these do-gooders realised that our society has its fair share of thugs who dont respond to people being 'nice' to them. If I was being attacked I'd rather have a police officer come to my assistance with a tazer or a gun than a pepper spray and a little stick. They are there to protect the public but also themselves and if individual officer choose to carry them then we should give them our full support. It should certainly come with training and regulation and perhaps the voltage is a little on the high side.

    vicky lee
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