• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Call for Met’s Taser arsenal to be fitted with video cameras

February 25, 2014 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

Image: Metropolitan Police / MOPAC
A Met officer equipped with Taser. Image: Metropolitan Police (@MPSBrent) / MOPAC
London Assembly Member Baroness Jenny Jones has called for the Met’s entire stock of Taser weapons to be routinely fitted with video cameras in a bid to ensure officer accountability.

Over the past 18 months there has been a fourfold increase in the number of times officers drew their Tasers.

The rise in use appears to coincide with a decision to increase the number of officers carrying the ‘less lethal’ weapons.

Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe sanctioned the increased availability amid concerns that unarmed officers were waiting too long for back-up.

As a result of the policy change there are now two Taser equipped vehicles patrolling 24-hours a day in each of the 32 boroughs the Met polices.

Assembly Members of all parties have repeatedly expressed concern that the weapons could be used as ‘compliance tools’ by officers to ensure suspects and detainees comply with instructions even where there’s no risk to officers or the public.

Baroness Jones wants the Met to purchase ‘Taser-cam’ – a small camera which is made by the weapon’s manufacturers and records both video and audio when the Taser is drawn.

Taser’s UK website says the attachment “is activated any time the safety is in the off position” and captures “vital audio and video information prior to, during, and after” the weapon’s use.

The force is already equipping its fleet of vans with video cameras and is trialling the use of body-worn cameras to help reduce groundless complaints against officers while providing evidence of any wrongdoing and make it easier and cheaper to convict criminals.

Speaking to MayorWatch, Baroness Jones said the introduction of Taser mounted cameras “would be a positive step and would help rebuild trust in the police.”

She added: “Their introduction would improve the accountability of individual officers and recording their deployment would bring in an element of objectivity to the encounter which is positive for the police and the public, providing they are switched on at the right time.”

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Tagged With: Taser

RECENT UPDATES

Tube and rail users to benefit from Oyster weekly fares cap

Mayor and TfL call on ministers to help plug funding gap

Tube to get full mobile phone coverage from 2024

TfL says Direct Vision Standard is already making HGVs safer for London road users




POPULAR

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.