NEWS RELEASE – Taser pilot should be scrapped

Today’s revelations from Amnesty International that the decision by Strathclyde police to issue tasers to untrained officers is potentially illegal (1) should lead to an immediate halt to the programme, Greens argued. Amnesty International has received legal advice that the pilot scheme has failed to secure proper Ministerial authorisation for the arming of non-specialist officers, given that tasers are covered by the same legislation as other firearms.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“We accept that there are situations where armed police must be deployed, but this pilot scheme for regular officers in Strathclyde to have tasers is both inappropriate and potentially illegal. As the legal opinion obtained by Amnesty International shows, tasers are firearms, and as such can only be bought with Ministers’ explicit approval, a safety check which has not been sought by Strathclyde Police.

“The public have a right to know that armed police can be called upon in extreme circumstances, but they must also know that firearms are only being used lawfully and by properly trained officers. These are potentially lethal weapons, and must be managed responsibly. It is now time for this pilot to be halted, and for Ministers to accept that a fully armed police force would be a step in the wrong direction. The future use of tasers in Scotland must be kept within proper control.”

Notes

1. For more information on this, including a summary of the legal opinion obtained, please contact Amnesty International on 0131 313 7010