Force trains hundreds of officers to use new Taser

A police force has claimed training hundreds of officers how to use new Taser devices with double the range of previous models will help to "minimise harm".

Essex Police said 665 frontline officers are being trained in the "safe, effective and proportionate use" of the Axon Taser 10 (T10).

The model was given approval by the Home Secretary last October and the devices are already being used by West Midlands Police and Greater Manchester Police.

Essex Police Ch Insp Julia Finch said: "Our aim is always to resolve incidents safely, minimise harm and protect the communities we serve."

"Our officers regularly deal with unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations where they must make quick decisions to protect the public and catch criminals," she added.

"The Taser 10 gives them an enhanced capability when responding to those incidents and provides additional options to bring situations under control safely and proportionately."

Figures released by the force showed that between 1 January and 31 July this year, its officers deployed their Tasers 161 times.

Of those, only 30 resulted in the devices being discharged.

The force said this was because lots of incidents could be resolved without officers having to actually discharge their devices.

It said the figures were "highlighting the role Taser can play in helping officers safely de-escalate situations and protect members of the public, officers and those involved in incidents".

Police use of Taser devices is subject to "strict" national and local rules, and trigger automatic activation of body-worn video cameras when the devices are drawn.

The new technology, which has replaced an older model, will give officers improved accuracy and range, as well as greater operational capability and reduced time spent extracting device data, the force added.

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