Review of the taser (‘electronic stun gun’) trial

Report: 4
Date: 17 May 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report provides details of the Taser trial within the MPS as part of a national ACPO Conflict Management assessment of the weapon as a less lethal option. Additionally, it identifies a proposed expansion of the trial to permit non-firearms’ officers from specialist units to use Taser.

A. Recommendations

Members note details of the trial and acknowledge the possible wider issue by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) of the M26 Advanced Taser for use as a less lethal option by selected officers as part of an extended ACPO operational trial, subject to Home Office approval.

B. Supporting information

Introduction

1. Tasers are devices designed to use the effects of electricity to incapacitate individuals. There are a variety of such weapons available but the principles of their operation remain the same. They are battery powered and use a low current, high voltage impulse shock to provide temporary incapacitation.

2 Tasers were approved for operational deployment within 5 police Forces as part of a study of less lethal technologies that could be used when officers were dealing with violent situations. In the trial Taser would be available as a less lethal alternative in circumstances where a firearm would otherwise be authorised. In addition to the MPS, the other Forces participating in the trial were North Wales, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Thames Valley.

3. The 12 month long trial started on the 21 April 2003 and is subject of an independent review by Price Waterhouse Cooper. An interim 6-month report was published. An executive summary of which is attached at Appendix 1.

Background

4. The Taser is the latest less lethal technology to be approved by the Home Office and recommended for introduction as such by ACPO. As part of the research, the Taser was sent to the Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) for examination of its effects on the human body. Following this initial work, the matter was referred to the Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) sub committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (DOMILL).

5. A preliminary statement was issued last year by DOMILL supporting the use of TASER as part of the ACPO trial. The medical review, which included such matters as the effect of electrical current on pace makers, cardiac issues and any potential complications from certain drugs, has now been completed. The review did not identify any detrimental effects from the use of Taser on the human body.

6. During the trial Taser has been used (drawn, red dot [laser sight] or sparking) nationally on 57 occasions including 19 discharges. Of those figures the MPS has recorded 29 uses with 10 discharges. The weapon has been found to be an effective means of resolving violent situations and it is acknowledged that its use has the potential to further reduce injury and the loss of life.

7. The initial findings from the trial, which continues, have resulted in ACPO recommending an expansion of the trial to include all Forces in England and Wales. These Forces will comply with the Taser guidelines used in the initial trial with the weapon issued to firearms officers. However, it is proposed by ACPO that the original 5 trial Forces will extend their issue of Taser to include deployment by non-firearm personnel from specialist units (as detailed below).

8. In the 5 trial Forces, including the MPS it is also proposed by ACPO that Taser should be available for use as a less lethal option in violent situations or where the threat of such violence exists. This would remove the requirement that it would be an incident where a firearm would otherwise be authorised. It is to these types of incidents that non-firearm personnel from specialist units issued with Taser might be deployed.

9. The MPS will continue to follow the ACPO guidelines governing the trial. These dictate that officers will be deployed with the Taser available as a less lethal option. A proposal has been put to the Home Office to include non-firearm personnel from specialist units, together with the change to the circumstances in which Taser might be deployed. These proposed changes still await Home Office agreement.

10. With the initial trial complete the issue of Taser’s expanded use currently rests with the Home Office. To assist the Secretary of State in reaching his decision as to whether an expanded trial should be supported a presentation will be made on the 25th May. This will take place at the Police Scientific Development Branch (Sandridge, St. Albans) led by Mr. Paul Acres, Chief Constable of Hertfordshire. He will be support by Cdr Gormley (MPS) and ACC Arundale (ACPO Firearms, West Mercia).

Proposed area of operational use

11. If Home Office support for the expanded trial is forthcoming it is proposed that the Taser should continue to be available for use by those firearms officers currently trained in its use. Additionally, it is intended that trained officers from specialist units (as detailed below) be equipped with the weapon to assist in the resolution of situations of serious violence or the threat of such violence. Due to the diverse nature of policing, it will never be possible to provide a definitive list of situations in which use of the Taser may be appropriate.

Proposed method of deployment

12. The extended trial will result in the MPS continuing to deploy Tasers in each of the SO19 Armed Response Vehicles (ARV’s), together with a limited number of units from the Diplomatic Protection Group and Heathrow Airport. Additionally, it is proposed that uniformed supervisors (sergeants) from the Territorial Support Group (TSG) be equipped with the Taser.

13. The TSG are most likely to be called to the majority of incidents involving serious violence or the threat of such violence where a firearm is not involved. Equipped with the Taser they would then be best placed to help resolve such incidents with a reduced potential for injury.

14. The officer in charge of the incident will consider, in the prevailing circumstances, whether deployment of the Taser is appropriate. If this is the case, the Taser will be available for use by appropriately trained staff.

15. Full training will be given to the non-firearm personnel (TSG sergeants) together with written deployment guidelines, tactics, post incident procedures and investigation protocols adapted as necessary from those currently used.

C. Race and equality impact

A report will be completed on every occasion that Taser is used. These reports will form part of the independent review of this weapon and the circumstances of its use by all Forces participating in the trial

D. Financial implications

1. Additional equipment costs will need to be met to allow for the purchase of an additional 160 Tasers and the requisite number of cartridges. Each Taser costs £395 (+ VAT) with each cartridge priced at £15 (+ VAT).

2. Together with the £118K for equipment and training, extra costs will be incurred through a contribution towards the costs of the independent evaluation to be made of the extended trial. This figure has yet to be finalised although as a guide only the cost for the first year’s report was in the region of £86K shared amongst the participating trial forces.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Cdr Messinger, Territorial Policing and Insp Blackburn, CO11, MPS.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Association of Chief Police Officers: independent evaluation of the operational trial of Taser

Executive summary

A summary of the interim report prepared for ACPO by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

1. A 12-month operational trial of Taser was launched on April 21, 2003. Its terms of reference are to evaluate how successfully Taser devices have been used as a supplementary option to other deployment methods, namely firearms, dogs, baton rounds and irritant spray. The trial is being independently evaluated by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

2. Five police forces are taking part in the trial: Lincolnshire Police; the Metropolitan Police; Northamptonshire Police; North Wales Police and Thames Valley Police.

3. During the trial, Taser will be deployed to policing operations where the use of firearms has been authorised. Officers involved will complete a questionnaire for every deployment.

4. The independent evaluators define usage as either drawing the device in circumstances where persons perceive the action as the threat or use of force; firing the device; using it in touch stun mode. All uses that fall into the last two categories are referred to the Police Complaints Authority.

5. For the interim report, the consultants have assessed whether Taser appears to have been effective where it has been used, based on the judgement of the police force deploying it.

6. Taser has been used in 30 incidents, 29 of which involved a human subject (one involved a dog).

7. Each of the 29 uses resulted in an arrest.

8. In the majority of cases, production of the Taser was enough to ensure compliance by the subject – particularly when the red dot sight is applied.

9. Taser was discharged in six incidents, in each case incapacitating the subject and allowing police officers to make an arrest.

10. In three cases, more than one discharge was needed to subdue the subject. It is reasonable to expect at this early stage to be at an early point on the learning curve and that better training and experience might produce better results.

11. Taser appears to have a strong deterrent effect and is highly effective at the de-escalation of potentially violent situations.

12. Taser reduces the risk to officers called to deal with a violent offender because it can be fired from a distance. It is also a strategic option in helping to resolve incidents before the risk of harm is heightened.

13. Some officers questioned the reliability of the technology, raising concerns particularly about the reliability of the battery packs. It is hoped that a new design Taser will address some of these problems.

14. A number of officers thought the trial should be broader and include the opportunities to use Taser to resolve violent incidents that do not otherwise meet the criteria for firearms deployment.

15. Officers were generally content with the training package, however some felt that if Taser were rolled out to non-firearms officers, the training programme would have to be extended. Some also felt the need for more realistic training ground scenarios.

Conclusions

1. Taser deployment and usage has been lower than might have been expected because of the parameters deliberately set by ACPO for the trial.

2. Where Taser has been deployed it has unfailingly secured a positive outcome.

3. Taser has a high visual deterrent value that can enable officers to de-escalate situations relatively quickly and easily.

4. Multiple Taser discharges were necessary to bring the subject under control at three incidents - on two of these occasions Taser firings did not appear to go right the first time. This might be expected to be related to lack of experience or training of the officers concerned because of the early stage in the operational trial.

5. There were a number of minor operational problems concerning the technology, particularly with reference to the size of Taser, the robustness of the battery packs and the accuracy of serial number and date recording.

6. The consultants’ final report, due in April 2004, will expect to reach an overall conclusion about the effectiveness of Taser.

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