All Frontline UK Police to be Armed with TASER by End of Year
The Sunday Times is often used by the Government to float ideas and gauge public reaction. An article today (14th September 2008) reports the Home Secretary has been impressed by pilot schemes in 10 forces that allow regular officers to fire TASERs and states the stun guns are expected to be made available to each of the 43 police forces in England and Wales by the end of the year.
The results of the trials have not yet been collated and assessed, some trials are not even over yet.
I support TASER weapons being available to firearms officers giving them an alternative option if they want to use it. However I believe having all police officers carrying TASERs will be a disaster for police-public relations and totally change the relationship between citizens and the state. Policing by consent itsself is under threat.
