Chief Constable Tasered in Manchester.

[Sgt Lobster]

At least some of our chiefs are supportive of the general issue of Taser to street cops.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4650645.stm

Lobster.

[keith758]

What are you allowed to carry? Here, in the U.S., we have pistols, Tasers, O.C. and batons. In our cars we have assault rifles and shotguns as well.

[Sgt Lobster]

keith,

The vast majority of officers are equipped with a baton, rigid handcuffs and a can of CS incapacitant but definately no firearm.

Lobster.

[keith758]

Sgt., thanks. What are your thoughts on officers being armed in your country? I'm curious as to whether you see the need for all British cops to carry a pistol. From my perspective, I feel that you are being unfairly put into situations without having adequate means to defend yourself.

[Bobbycop]

I bet there was an argument between the bobbys over who was going to taser the chief.

[co911]

he can get tasered every day for 5 yrs, it won't change the politicians minds.

[Raid1]

I bet there was an argument between the bobbys over who was going to taser the chief.

Yeah I can see it now ... 'ZAP' ARRGH!
'Lemme pull the trigger'
'ZAP' ARRRRRGH!
'My turn , my turn'
'ZAP' AAAAAAAAARRRRRGH!
'Now lets chat about special priority payments'



On a more serious note. My view on arming all officers is this. Taser yes , Firearms no. Maybe Im biased because Im in the position of actually carrying firearms. But I do not think the current threat in the UK warrants the issue to all officers and I doubt that the forces could cope with the huge training implications involved. We are not a firearms nation and therefore carrying a gun does not come easy to a lot of people ; I think we would loose a lot of good officers over the issue.

The current situation of specialist units is the best solution ; although I do not think there are enough AFO's.

The Taser however offers a limited range less lethal capability to officers who are faced with an armed or otherwise so dangerous subject that they are not going to want to get up close and personal with. Its no good just putting this kit on ARV's and binding it with the same levels of authority. You'll get the same situation as you have now.Officers in a nasty situation who need the kit there and then but are put at risk because they are waiting for us to get there from a long way off.

Personal view of course , but thats my two pennies worth.

[RCMP]

Here's my two bit.

Every call I have gone to a gun is involved... namely mine. Sometimes more guns are involved depending on how many members attend. I can't imagine being in this line of work without a gun.

So what do you do if you encounter a person weilding a knife and threatening you? What is your use of force policy on that?

RCMP

[britishcop]

Here's my two bit.

Every call I have gone to a gun is involved... namely mine. Sometimes more guns are involved depending on how many members attend. I can't imagine being in this line of work without a gun.

So what do you do if you encounter a person weilding a knife and threatening you? What is your use of force policy on that?

RCMP

If a call comes in were a knife has been seen, comms automatically ask for a dog handler, and a number of patrols to attend the job. We just basically have to keep our wits about us and rely on either the dog or our batons/C.S. In extreme circumstances we may even ask an armed response unit to attend. I have never thought in my career (granted ive only been doing it 2yrs) that i need a gun.

[RCMP]

Well, this is speaking from training.

If I encountered a subject holding a knife and weilding it in a threatening way. I would use verbal commands to have the subject drop the knife and my gun would be pointed at their center of mass. Of course taking all the circumstances into consideration. My next course of action would be dictated by them.

1. They drop the knife... I go home alive they go to jail alive.
2. They lunge at me with the knife... 2 to the chest 1 to the head, I go home alive.

RCMP

Disclaimer: Someone will always monday morning quaterback the actions taken by police. It is easy when one can sit back and not be required to take the split second action. Suck it up princess, if you weren't in the fight don't criticize it.

[RCMP]

One small addition to the above post.

Unlike major metropolitan areas, I don't have the luxury of having numerous back up units to attend. The majority of time I'm working by myself and my backup is minimum 15 mins or however long it takes them to get out of bed.

[st13]

We have a photo on the GMP website of the Chief being tasered, quite amusing. The guy taking the shot is grinning like a Cheshire cat. Many comments have been made about a it being a waste of electricity and I`m pretty sure you can work out the others. Lets just say hes not as popular as he thinks he is.