Tasers, a tool once deployed in only the most serious of circumstances, are beginning to make a more frequent appearance in London’s law enforcement activity. With police in outer boroughs now more likely to resort to Taser use than their inner London counterparts, it’s clear that officers in more isolated areas are increasingly having to rely on Tasers.
New figures show decrease in Met’s Taser usage
New figures suggest usage maybe declining with officers pulling, aiming or firing the weapons on 132 fewer occasions compared to the previous six month period.
Concerns expressed over unintentional Taser discharges
A London Assembly Member has expressed concern after it emerged that Metropolitan Police officers unintentionally discharged their Taser weapons 23 times during the past 14 months.
Call for Met’s Taser arsenal to be fitted with video cameras
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.
Concerns raised after Met’s Taser use quadruples
Concern has been expressed that Met Police are using Tasers as a compliance tool after official figures revealed a fourfold increase in the number of times officers drew their weapons.
