EXCLUSIVE: Pressure on West Yorkshire Police to give every frontline officer a taser
It's after Northamptonshire Police committed to the change yesterday
Last updated 21st Aug 2019
We can exclusively reveal the group that represent police officers across West Yorkshire are pressing the force to give every frontline officer a taser.
Our county's Police Federation has written to police chiefs asking for the change after two high profile attacks on UK officers in the last fortnight - including the murder of PC Andrew Harper.
It's after the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police committed to giving ever officer there a taser yesterday.
West Yorkshire Police Fed chair Brian Booth says police here should follow suit:
"It's devastating for the whole country, this. Officers really do feel the loss and the despair and I'm sure the public feel exactly the same. It's a tragedy. But unfortunately it's mirrored throughout West Yorkshire with the amount of violence that's happening against our officers.
"When you're dealing with some of the most violent individuals in society, it's very difficult to know what the end game is. Are you going to end up in hospital, are you going to be killed? Having that taser just gives you a different mindset of I've got something now that may be able to prevent this individual harming me or my colleagues. Or the public as well.
Stats show there are between 30 and 50 attacks on West Yorkshire police officers every single day.
That's despite tougher laws which came in at the end of last year to prevent emergency service workers being assaulted.
Brian says tasers are a good way to make sure they're protected:
"It's a really effective tool - it incapacitates the individual totally which causes less injury to the individual because the only other alternative is to hit them with a baton which in essence is a stick. And you have to baton them until they stop causing danger. A taser stops it instantly.
"We should be putting officer safety in a higher priority than balancing the books. We really need to invest in this area.
West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Tim Kingsman, said:
“The safety of officers and staff is a significant priority for West Yorkshire Police and assaults on police, or any emergency worker, are simply unacceptable. That is why we continue to speak out on the issue and support appropriate penalties for those who assault emergency workers.
"As a Force we review all instances where a police officer or staff member is assaulted. This analysis continues to inform our policies, processes, equipment and training to maximise the safety of officers and staff.
“A Taser can be an extremely effective tool, however it can only be issued to officers who have undergone the appropriate training. This is for their own safety and that of the public. That is why it is vital that officers and staff keep up to date with safety training.
“In April 2018 West Yorkshire Police reviewed and amended our policy covering the deployment of officers equipped with Taser meaning they are available to all frontline officers who are trained in its use.
"Our policy covering the deployment of officers equipped with Taser is the subject of regular review, in consultation with range of key partners and stakeholders including the Police Federation."