Circular 03/15
Mail Online Article – Tasers
As you may be aware, the Daily Mail published an article on its website on Saturday regarding the procurement of Tasers by the MDP. A link to this article is attached below.
The article is critical of the procurement of Tasers for officers on the basis that they have been little used – with the newspaper concluding this represents a waste of money when the MDP has absorbed such significant cuts to its workforce. The Federation takes the view that this is an inaccurate analysis, and has written to the journalist to convey its views. We have additionally written to the Shadow Defence Secretary, who is quoted in the article.
The Federation agrees that there has been a significant cut to our workforce and that this issue should be reviewed, but also believes that it is important that officers have a range of options at their disposal when responding to any incident, so that officers’ responses can be proportionate and ensure their safety and that of the public. To compare the two is not helpful and blurs the lines between officer safety and operational resilience.
Eamon Keating
National Chairman
