HAMPSHIRE police officers have welcomed the force's decision to arm more frontline staff with tasers.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh has announced that the number of officers who will be trained to use the controversial devices will increase by 20 per cent.
It comes after the chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation called on the force to arm more police due to increasing “extreme levels of violence” they face and the cut in police numbers.
Hampshire Police Federation chairman John Apter said: “I’m pleased that the Chief Constable and the Police Crime Commissioner have listened to our calls for a wider rollout of tasers and agreed to train a further 60 officers to use them. Tasers are an effective way of preventing violent confrontations escalating and in the short time we have been using tasers we have seen this to be the case.”
Currently around 300 officers are trained to use tasers and this move will see a further 60 officers receive training to carry them while on duty.
John Apter
Chief Constable Andy Marsh and Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commis-sioner Simon Hayes made the decision to boost the number of officers able to use the devices following pressure from the Hampshire Police Federation, which surveyed its members on the use of tasers.
Of the 1,110 people who responded, 84 per cent wanted more access to the devices because of concerns over officer safety.
Last night Mr Hayes confirmed that he had agreed to fund the extended rollout, which will cost almost £20,000.
Mr Hayes said: “Tasers are a tool to protect police officers and therefore to protect the public.
“Hampshire Consta-bulary has a good training programme, which is recognised by the Home Office, and they have a good record of using tasers.”
Simon Hayes
Officers from patrol response teams and roads policing units will be able to apply for the training between now and April. Neighbour-hood officers will not be eligible to apply.
Mr Apter added: “My priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our members, those police officers who put themselves in the line of danger to protect the public.
“Police officers need to know that they have the best protection available, especially following recent cuts to officer numbers.
“Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction.”
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