Extract from internal document; 'Can We Change The Police?' (Michael Heverin)

Chapter 5. Use of Force.

The use of Tasers by police forces across England and Wales has increased by more than 500% over the last decade, from 3,573 incidents in 2009-10 to 23,451 in 2018-19

In the year ending March 2022 there were just over 41,000 assaults on police officers in England and Wales.

assault without injury saw an increase of 11%, with injury an increase of 2.6% on the previous year.

The rise of taser usage of course has a connection to more officers now being issued with  them. But I do believe there is an underlying factor that causes a self-fulfilling effect that having these sidearms will inevitably cause a rise of use when  previously the officer would deal with the situation differently. This is obviously paradoxical, as the officer did not have the taser in the previous instance, so they have little choice but to act differently.

To explain the theory further first we must look at weapons management/containment. This is where a firearms officer in training is taught procedure such as holding, storing, holstering and drawing their weapon safely. Part of this is understanding that being in a public place with a firearm arm creates further considerations. For instance a firearms officer would not want somebody to stand within about 3 feet of their personal space to avoid the unlikely scenario of a person trying to grab their gun. Following on from this is last thing this same officer wants is to wrestle on the ground with a suspect in attempting an arrest. The taser, although not deadly force has the same effect on the user to avoid direct contact and to draw the weapon merely as a tool to facilitate compliance. The problem comes when they are greeted with non compliance. what do they then do, re holster the taser and start again?

The unfortunate consequences of this is that people in the UK are being tasered for non-compliance, in the US they are being shot, and often without any direct threat to person discharging the weapon. But the reasons for a suspect not doing what the an officers instructs them can be many and varied including drug and mental health related. And does this result in the skill sets needed to carry out an effective and safe arrest without an overriding threat from a firearm then get lost?

---

***restricted***
--

Proposal 1

Training suitable officers to a much greater ability to arrest and restrain without the threat of further force.

emphasise should also be placed on learning and dealing better with mental health and drug issues that have been responsible for so many deaths whilst restraining and in police custody.

Overall these skill sets should instil confidence and ability in any situation whilst ensuring the prisoners safety

and the completion of this training is seen as a major achievement on a par with firearms or advanced pursuit driving, and accompanied with a uniform patch.

Proposal 2

***restricted***

                                                                                             copyright 2024 brecon research group.