Sli1RATHClYIDIE

POLIC'E

Taser Introduced in Strathclyde
Tasers will be introduced in Strathclyde Police from Monday 19 September 2005.
Following extensive trials in a number of English Police Forces during 2003/2004,
and significant scientific research, ministerial approval was granted to enable chief
constables to introduce the deployment of Tasers.
Tasers will only be issued to specially trained firearms officers and authorisation for
their issue and use is in accordance with guidance contained within the ‘ACPO
Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms’.
Strathclyde Police is the first Force in Scotland to deploy Taser. However, the majority of Forces in the UK have or
are now in the process of deploying them as a less lethal option where the authorisation of firearms has been
granted.
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Learmonth (Operational Support) said:
“Following the trials in England during 2003/2004 careful consideration was given to the introduction of Taser. The
trials were independently evaluated and the report on the operational trials concluded that the use of Taser ‘helped
secure a positive outcome to an incident, minimising the potential need for officers to deploy other, possibly more
lethal technologies’.
“Whilst Taser will always be deployed alongside conventional firearms and should not be seen as a replacement for
such weapons, Taser will provide another less lethal option which may assist in the safe resolution of firearms
incidents without recourse to more lethal force.
“Part of the pre-implementation plan has been to speak to as many interested groups as possible. These have
included members of the medical community to ensure that immediate and effective support is provided to any
person who is subjected to Taser.”