Record number of Scottish police officers now carrying tasers

Published date14 April 2024
AuthorLee Dalgetty
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
The Sunday Mail revealed that officers trained in the use of the devices has gone up from 500 to an all time high of 2000. This comes alongside an increase in assaults on police officers

The devices can discharge 50,000-volt electric shocks. The increase in Taser carrying has been welcomed by the Scottish Police Federation.

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They claim it will give increased protection to members – who include officers up to the rank of Chief Inspector David Threadgold, the SPF chair, wants to see all 16,300 police officers issued with the devices.

He added: "Our world can quickly escalate from nothing to a very serious situation. That is why a Taser is now an important piece of personal protection equipment.

"The presence of Tasers will de-escalate huge numbers of scenarios before they ever become critical. Officers go through a rigorous training programme."

The Taser figures were released during a meeting of oversight body, the Scottish Police Authority, by Chief Constable Jo Farrell.

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She said: "Taser gives officers an additional tactical option to keep people safe."

The increase in STOs was first announced by former chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone in September 2021.

Until 2018, Tasers were only carried by firearms police. They are normally used to incapacitate a person acting in a threatening or violent manner, allowing them to be detained or arrested.

A report to the SPA in December revealed 20 members of the public have been injured since Police Scotland began routinely using...

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