The Metropolis

Why a taser in every police car is a really bad idea

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 23 November, 2011 11:13

_{Hulk with a potentially tasable member of his public}

Hulk Hogan-Howe brought his tough talk to LBC radio yesterday.

He wants his men to carry more tasers, after four officers were stabbed at the weekend:

“I think it should be a vehicle board option. I think to have them in vehicles…one of the options is every police car another one might be one of our response cars – there are various options – the dog car might carry it.”

A taser in every police car is a really bad idea. British police do not routinely carry dangerous weapons. Routine is the word at issue here. Put a taser in every car and you put the option to tase in every officer’s hand, for every incident. We’ve seen plenty of examples in recent years of why that may not be a prudent thing to do.

Have a look here for what happens in America when you turn policemen into a militia. It’s really ugly.

The police are there to protect the public and investigate crimes. When they are armed by default against their own employers, then they have lost sight of their original purpose.

Hulk’s quote, in fairness, does outline a variety of options. It’s worth knowing that Amnesty concedes:

“There are instances when Tasers can be an effective weapon.”

So if you are opposed to tasers full stop, well you’re in a minority. They might be better than shooting someone. But that’s about it.

To summarise:

Having a few more tasers in support vehicles ready when called upon – I don’t like it but I could be persuaded.

Having a taser in every patrol car – oh good god no.

Harrow Observer – Police officers ‘stabbed’ in Kingsbury
LBC – Bernard Hogan-Howe Wants More Police Tasers
The Guardian – Amnesty criticises Met police’s Taser expansion plans
The Atlantic – Turning Patrolmen Into Soldiers: How Did We Let This Happen?
Snipe – Hogan-Howe: for now, it’s all about the PR
Photo: Metropolitan Police

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