Tasers will now be issued to all front line officers in the Northamptonshire police as a response to a “rising level of violence” against emergency services. Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley said the decision to issue the electric stun weapons was not taken lightly however was necessary to combat the threat of people who have no respect for law.
The new plan will take 18 months to be in full force and will cost around £220,000.
2/2Arming every frontline police officer with Taser is not a decision I have taken lightly but the risks to officers has changed dramatically and I have to respond accordingly.Our officers have a right to feel safe, supported and adequately equipped to tackle this sickening trend https://t.co/GEKEL94eEU
— Nick Adderley (@NorthantsChief) August 19, 2019
Mr Adderley said: “Here in Northamptonshire, we can have officers and staff who are 50 minutes away from any kind of support, and if a member of the public is attacking them or they’re being attacked, then they should have a response to that,”
A police taser fires two darts that release 50,000 volt charge to temporarily paralyse someone.
The announcement follows the death of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire, who was killed while investigating a burglary.
