Non-Subscriber Extract
Frontline officer squads to trial Tasers
24 July 2007
Taser can now be used more widely by firearms officers in England and Wales and will soon be trialled by specially trained non-armed police squads.
The Home Office and ACPO announced on 19 July an extension to the less-lethal weapon's use, which will also include a trial among specially trained non-firearms police units in 10 forces.
Police Review first revealed news of this plan back in April (PR 27 April).
Tony McNulty, police minister, said: "Police officers put themselves in harm's way every day and I want them to have the equipment they need to protect themselves and the public."
He added: "Taser gives police an additional tactical option that is less lethal than conventional firearms and its use can help resolve incidents and limit the incidence of serious injury."
The 12-month Taser trials involving specially trained, non-firearms police units will start on 1 September.