Rocket + 6,403 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 The College of Policing says it is currently not working towards changing guidance so that probationers and specials can use taser. This means it could be months, or even years, before the two banned groups of officer can use the devices. A year ago the NPCC asked the body to review its policy on whether the conducted energy devices could be issued to the officers. Police chiefs wanted to have the capacity to increase the number of those with access to the less lethal weapons, but have ruled out giving them to every officer who asks for them. Minutes from a chief constable council meeting last year state: “It was noted that the changing nature of the workforce meant that for many forces retaining the current national guidance might hinder their ability to operate effectively.” The College of Policing still recommended the existing bans be maintained, but chiefs asked for a discussion to take place at the College’s Professional Committee. In order to make the necessary changes the College also said it needed to clarify with the Home Office the legal position of its guidance regarding taser – as it is unsure if what it produces binds chiefs or not. But a spokesman for the College said this week its less lethal weapon work is being done elsewhere rather than on this issue. He said: “Our current focus is on supporting forces in preparation for the Home Secretary’s anticipated decision in respect of a new conducted energy device (taser) to replace the current device, which is no longer manufactured.” The X26e model taser used by UK forces is now obsolete. Although safe, it has been known since 2015 that new permission is needed to allow their use. The Home Office’s Scientific Advisory Committee on the Implications of Less Lethal Weapons has been considering the case for allowing new model taser for several months. A further statement from the College spokesman, received after this article was sent live, said: "Following a request from the NPCC the College of Policing last year began a review of the guidance that requires an officer to have passed their probation before they can be considered for the training and issue of conducted energy devices (CED). "The NPCC will be working with the College to consult with forces to determine if there is an operational need to change the current policy. "In the meantime the College is focussing on supporting forces around the anticipated introduction of a new CED." http://www.policeoracle.com/news/Probationers-and-specials-will-not-be-allowed-to-use-taser-for-a-long-time_93954.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmook + 532 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Oh well, at least I can still wallop someone with my authorised steel bar instead. 21 inches counts as a ranged option I suppose... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathedral Bobby + 1,174 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) Makes you think which, if you could choose, what you would prefer to be subject to. Hit with a baton or tasered? Personally I would rather be tasered than hit with a steel bar, which to be effective needs to be used with bone cracking force. Funny how taser actually gets tested on people, whereas I have not heard of people being voluntarily hit with a baton, probably due to the prospect of a permanent disability. I don't get how the baton, which is a clumsy lethal force weapon, is preferred over the Taser being carried by specials and student officers. Edited February 2, 2017 by Cathedral Bobby typo 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete 1,492 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 ridiculous. the treatment of police officers in this country like theyre untrustworthy children is disgusting. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu 22 + 4,638 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I agree with the guidelines, but that is what they are guidelines. With recruitment having been closed many Forces, until relatively recently, some Forces will soon have mainly Probationers on the front line. If they are then this will have to be reviewed. I would certainly not be in favour of the issue to Specials. A lot could depend on the replacement Tasers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmook + 532 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 18 minutes ago, Zulu 22 said: I would certainly not be in favour of the issue to Specials. What a brilliantly sweeping statement. Care to explain why attested cops shouldn't be allowed to carry the same PPE as regs out of probation? I am expecting the old "I wouldn't trust some specials with a water pistol" or similar, but that is true of anyone. I will say it shouldn't be blanket-issued, but why not to those who prove themselves competent and have a legitimate requirement, be it special, probie or reg? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu 22 + 4,638 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 51 minutes ago, Shmook said: What a brilliantly sweeping statement. Care to explain why attested cops shouldn't be allowed to carry the same PPE as regs out of probation? I am expecting the old "I wouldn't trust some specials with a water pistol" or similar, but that is true of anyone. I will say it shouldn't be blanket-issued, but why not to those who prove themselves competent and have a legitimate requirement, be it special, probie or reg? Read and quote the whole post not a part. It is the ruling at the moment by the COP so I would suggest that you take it up with them. I just happen to agree with them and I do not have to explain it and neither does the COP. Perhaps you have a deeper knowledge and experience. The phrase you used "Care to explain why attested cops shouldn't be allowed to carry the same PPE as regs out of probation?" makes little sense. Do you mean why Specials shouldn't be allowed to carry the same PPE as regs out of Probation" If so then because the COP's guidelines say so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmook + 532 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 11 minutes ago, Zulu 22 said: Read and quote the whole post not a part. It is the ruling at the moment by the COP so I would suggest that you take it up with them. I just happen to agree with them and I do not have to explain it and neither does the COP. Perhaps you have a deeper knowledge and experience. The phrase you used "Care to explain why attested cops shouldn't be allowed to carry the same PPE as regs out of probation?" makes little sense. Do you mean why Specials shouldn't be allowed to carry the same PPE as regs out of Probation" If so then because the COP's guidelines say so. It should have read 'care to explain your reasons'. Your post implies no special is to be trusted with taser... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT + 1,194 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I used my taser last week, and almost again the week before. Both incidents put me at the front of the decision making process, balancing risk and hazards constantly. Knowing that if I made the wrong call, or even the right one I could be looking at years of suspension and possibly prosecution. I think it makes sense that someone in their probation isn't allowed to carry one. Although the taser is less harmful than a baton the risk assessments for taser are more complicated and the situations it can be used in are more complex. I don't specifically object to a special carrying one. But the skill set for taser is a little harder for specials to attain. If they can then why not. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growley + 2,436 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Make suitability for taser part of recruitment and put better use of force training into the initial training course and I'd see no problem with everyone being taser trained; whether they be established regulars, specials or probationers. At the moment not everyone in the job, for a multitude of reasons, is suitable for taser or firearms training. If we focus recruitment around it, it stops being an issue and there's little legitimate argument against a wider rollout. Sent from my iPhone using Police Community 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milankovitch + 3,445 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 They manage to arm brand new police officers with firearms in most of the rest of the world without everything ending in disaster, I'm not sure why we can't seem to manage to train folk up on a Taser from the get-go. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu 22 + 4,638 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 7 minutes ago, Milankovitch said: They manage to arm brand new police officers with firearms in most of the rest of the world without everything ending in disaster, I'm not sure why we can't seem to manage to train folk up on a Taser from the get-go. Are you sure about that. The USA have some horrendous incidents. We had one who shot himself in the foot, one who pout a round into the ceiling. How about Turkey when a Police Officer can assassinate an Ambassador. At present the guidelines for Taser are not for Specials or Probationers. Specials may be well meaning but basically they do as they are told. In this case the body telling them so is the COP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmook + 532 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 3 minutes ago, Zulu 22 said: Specials may be well meaning but basically they do as they are told. In this case the body telling them so is the COP. So, like every other rank and file cop. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milankovitch + 3,445 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 15 minutes ago, Zulu 22 said: Are you sure about that. The USA have some horrendous incidents. We had one who shot himself in the foot, one who pout a round into the ceiling. How about Turkey when a Police Officer can assassinate an Ambassador. At present the guidelines for Taser are not for Specials or Probationers. Specials may be well meaning but basically they do as they are told. In this case the body telling them so is the COP. Yes, I am. Not aware of probationers in NI shooting up a bus full of nuns and kittens by mistake. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu 22 + 4,638 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 26 minutes ago, Shmook said: So, like every other rank and file cop. No those are the suggestions, and guidelines from way above, not from me. The Police Service is a disciplined service where we do what we are instructed to do. That might be different for Specials because their livelihood does not rely on obeying orders. 16 minutes ago, Milankovitch said: Yes, I am. Not aware of probationers in NI shooting up a bus full of nuns and kittens by mistake. Is that supposed to be humour? You can always tell that to any victims. The ruling by the COP is not a suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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