The Taser is a new weapon in Lancashire Police’s fight against crime.
The force has taken delivery of Taser – an American-made hand-held electrical device designed to incapacitate violent individuals who pose a significant threat to officers, themselves, and others.
Taser was tested in a year-long operational trial by five forces following which the Home Secretary gave approval for all forces in England and Wales to use it. It is widely seen as a less than lethal option when dealing with life-threatening incidents. During the trial, it was used successfully on many occasions to bring serious incidents to a safe conclusion.
Only specially trained and authorised firearms officers in Lancashire will be issued with Taser following comprehensive training in its use. Officers on the street will not routinely carry it. All M26 Taser’s issued to Lancashire officers will be yellow and carried in such a way that they cannot to be mistaken for a conventional firearm. It is a single-shot device designed to incapacitate the subject through the use of an electrical current. It can only be used in circumstances when the officer has already been authorised to draw a firearm.
What they say
Head of Operations, Assistant Chief Constable Julia Hodson, said: "The police service is constantly seeking less than lethal options to resolve dangerous situations safely and without injury. The Taser provides officers with another tool that may be more appropriate than a conventional firearm in certain circumstances. It reduces the risk to officers, offenders, and members of the public because it can be fired from a distance and is an alternative to a firearm. It is a strong visual deterrent that does not cause serious injury and has no lasting physical effects.
"Any use of force by a police officer has to be proportionate and reasonable – compatible with human rights. Taser is intended to be a safe option that gives police officers the chance to incapacitate and overpower, rather than injure someone. That said, it will not always provide such an option and there will still be a need for conventional firearms to be available."
What is a Taser?
Taser stands for Thomas A Swifts Electronic Rifle. It was originally developed in 1964. The American-made M26 Advanced Air Taser was developed in 1999 and has been used by American law enforcement agencies since then. Taser resembles and has the handling characteristics of a pistol. It delivers an electrical current that interferes with the body’s neuromuscular system, temporarily incapacitating it.
