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Met Police to pilot Tasers

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The governing body of the Metropolitan Police yesterday gave approval for Tasers to be issued to non-firearms-trained police in a pilot scheme beginning next month. Similar trials are already underway with other UK police forces.

"Members [of the Met Police Authority] raised legitimate concerns about broadening the use of Taser to routine policing," said Cindy Butts, MPA deputy chair.

"We remain worried about the message this sends out to London's communities about the escalation of confrontation and need further reassurance that vulnerable people... will not be adversely affected.

"However... Without the Met participating, this authority will be unable to influence a final decision about future use of the Taser.

"Consequently, today we agreed that the Met participates in the trial with the following rider: I will lead an MPA working group, working with the Met to jointly monitor and evaluate the trial...

"We want to move forward and influence the national debate. Our concerns have not gone away, nor have they been answered... We will monitor these areas rigorously and ensure that the experiences of London influence national policy for the good."

The MPA has agreed to let the Met deploy Tasers in the hands of non-firearms police only on the third time of asking. On two previous occasions MPA members were "dissatisfied" with the level of information provided.

The full MPA announcement is here. ®

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Latest Comments

Police have enough force already...

We don't need it, they have enough force already. Twice I've been roughed up by the Met Police unnecessarily and kept in over night with handcuffs on and resulting bruises and thumbs and fingers numb for a week. My Dad has also had the same treatment... Mostly for disagreeing with them... Looks like a know what my Christmas present will be... A Tazer... But its probably illegal to have one? PS Normal person, not thug...

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this is a very bad idea .........

and anyone who really befieves that the Taser should be introduced to this country should agree to be Tasered BEFORE his request is taken seriously

also believe that ANY policemen who carries the Taser should be Tasered AT LEAST once a week

that will make them aware of what a dangerous piece of offensive equipment they carry

while we are at it, why not also give them light hand-guns, you know, just ones that really bruise someone but cannot kill them????????

what idiot thought this one up?????

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Anonymous Coward

Terror police shot man in coma - with Taser - in Leeds, UK

Terror police 'shot' man in coma

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/7096456.stm

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