Are Tasers fair?

TASER GUNS were used by Warwickshire Police to arrest three men in just one day - a week after more officers than ever before were trained to use them.

In total 100 officers - equal to 10 per cent of the workforce - are now trained to use Tasers, including eight sergeants and two inspectors.

But human rights groups have questioned the widespread use of the weapon.

The guns were originally only used by the force’s firearms officers, but since the beginning of August officers from Warwickshire Police’s Operations Task Force, which provides back-up for patrol officers dealing with violent incidents, have also been able to use them.

Officers took Tasers to a suspected burglary in the early hours of Wednesday August 5.

Two 18-year-olds were arrested at a house in Coten End, Warwick, after a member of the public called the police reporting noises coming from the rear of the property.

Although the Tasers were not deployed, officers said the sight of the device, which can emit a 50,000 volt charge, was enough to bring the situation under control.

Later that day police also used a Taser to arrest a violent man at a home in Stratford.

The man, who was thought to be drunk and had suffered a cut to his arm, was described by police as being extremely agitated with dramatic mood changes.

Officers used the stun guns to arrest the man.

He was taken to Warwick Hospital for treatment to the cut to his arm, before spending the night in police custody.

The man was assessed under the Mental Health Act the following morning.

Inspector Alf Berridge, head of firearms support, said: “The Taser is a well proven and effective piece of equipment which will provide officers with another way of dealing with violent incidents.

“During trials in other police forces the use of the Taser has already been proved to show that its presence alone can de-escalate a violent situation, thus reducing the potential for members of the public and for police officers to come to harm.”

The decision to train more officers follows extensive national trials and authorisation from the Home Secretary.

But a human rights group has condemned police for using the gun in a burglary and said they should only be used when the lives of police or members of the public are at risk.

Mike Blakemore, spokesman for Amnesty International, which has a mid-Warwickshire branch covering Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick, said: “Tasers are potentially lethal and should only be used where strictly necessary to avoid loss of life or prevent very serious injury. Only a limited number of officers who’ve been trained to the same high standards as firearms officers should be equipped with Tasers.

“Amnesty International’s research shows that 346 people have died after being shot with Tasers in the US since 2001. In many of these cases the coroner listed the use of the Taser as a contributory factor or was directly linked to the death. In 2008 alone, 59 people died in the US after being tasered.”

What do you think? Comment or email kat_baldwyn@mrn.co.uk