Criminals in Bromley and Bexley are in for a shock as the Metropolitan Police are authorising non-firearms trained officers to use taser guns.
Tasers have been used by the Met more than 200 times since they introduced them for firearms-trained officers in 2003, and the force is now taking part in a trial that runs until September next year in which regular officers will be able to use the stun guns.
Commander Bob Broadhurst, who lives in Bromley, said tasers had been used in Kent boroughs covered by the Met and could be used in the county on occasions when Met officers are called in to assist Kent Police.
Speaking to Kent on Sunday, Cmdr Broadhurst said: “They will undoubtedly be employed in our outer boroughs and there may be occasions when our colleagues in Kent Police would allow us to use tasers in the right types of incidents.
“Our TSGs (Tactical Support Groups) will spend more of their time posted to the outer boroughs. For instance, if officers in Bromley or Bexley are dealing with violent incidents, which do happen, particularly with the night time economy.”
Tasers work by firing two metal probes at offenders up to 21 feet away, giving them an electric shock that temporarily debilitates them.
All taser training for Met officers is carried out at the Gravesend Law Enforcement, Public Order and Firearms Training Centre.
Cmdr Broadhurst insisted they were safe to use.
He continued: “We have been using tasers since 2003 and they have proved to be safe and effective. Clearly, if you fire a device at someone that puts electricity through them there are risks, but research has shown there are no deaths that can be directly linked to tasers. Before we’re allowed to use them they are checked by Government scientists who have found them to be safe.”
Cmdr Broadhurst added that if the trial was deemed successful it was likely the Home Office would authorise their use across the country.
POSTED: 10/12/2007 10:26:45