Met to trial Tasers
The London Metropolitan Police Authority has given its approval for the Met to participate in the Home Office pilot to rollout use of the Taser to non-firearms trained police officers in London for a trial period, starting 10 December
At the full Authority meeting today (Thursday 22 November) members received a further detailed paper to answer the concerns they had raised on two previous occasions when the Met brought the proposal to the table.
Cindy Butts, Deputy Chair of the MPA, said: "Once again, members raised legitimate concerns about broadening the use of Taser to routine policing. We remain worried about the message this sends out to London's communities about the escalation of confrontation and need further reassurance that vulnerable people who may behave differently - the young, old and those with disabilities - will not be adversely affected.
"However, we have to recognise that the national Home Office pilot is now underway. Without the Met participating, this Authority will be unable to influence a final decision about future use of the Taser.
"Consequently, today we agreed that the Met participates in the trial with the following rider: I will lead an MPA working group, working with the Met to jointly monitor and evaluate the trial. The group will receive weekly updates and hold monthly meetings to discuss progress and address concerns.
