Volunteer officers working for British Transport Police have become the first "specials" in the UK to carry Tasers. They begin carrying the devices today (Friday, May 27) in a move which follows a controversial decision by the Home Secretary.
Priti Patel last week unveiled plans to give special constables powers to use the disabling weapons. They temporarily incapacitate a person by delivering an electric current through two small-barbed darts.
British Transport Police's first cohort of 22 volunteer officers have completed a three-day course on using the devices before being allowed to carry them on duty. It is the same training that regular officers receive.
Special Chief Officer Ben Clifford said the force’s special constables “are exposed to the exact same risks as regular officers”, such as terrorism, public safety and public order offences.
He said: “Allowing them to carry the device is a positive step in recognising the skills and competence of our part-time volunteer officers and further strengthens our commitment to ensuring the railway is a safe environment for passengers and rail workers.
“We regularly deal with incidents a considerable distance from back-up in remote locations, and Taser has a critical place in protecting the public and officers as a less lethal device.”
British Transport Police employ 270 volunteer officers, who are deployed alongside regular officers and have the same powers.
Ms Patel said she was “very proudly pro-police” as she announced the move to equip special constables with the electroshock weapons, if authorised by their chief officers, during a speech at the annual Police Federation conference in Manchester last Tuesday.
However, Amnesty International UK branded the decision “dangerous” and said it will lead to “more instances of misuse, serious harm and death from Tasers”.
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