A POLICE weapon that is currently only used by specialist firearms officers will be more widely useed in the New Year. The Home Office is extending the use of the Taser -- an electroshock gun first used by the police in 2005 -- to all police forces acros
A POLICE weapon that is currently only used by specialist firearms officers will be more widely useed in the New Year.
The Home Office is extending the use of the Taser -- an electroshock gun first used by the police in 2005 -- to all police forces across the country and specially-selected Herts police officers will be carrying the device from January 1 onwards.
A number of officers from each intervention team in the county have received intensive Taser training to prepare for the change. The weapon will be available for use in situations where officers face violence of such severity that they need to use force for the protection of themselves and the public.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Heather Valentine said: "While violent crime in our county is low, our officers do on occasion need to deal with individuals who threaten violence to both police and the public. In those situations we need the ability to bring these incidents to a quick and safe conclusion and Taser is one of a number of ways that our officers can achieve this.
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