Force to train 1,100 officers to use Taser weapons to better protect region after terrorist attacks in London and Manchester

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Greater Manchester police are doubling the number of officers trained in the use of stun guns to 1,100.

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The force’s chief constable, Ian Hopkins, said the decision was necessary to better protect the region after the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.

“The threat level we are facing is significant as we have seen from recent atrocities in our city and in the capital. We have seen attacks targeting innocent people in crowded places using knives, causing death and serious injury,” he said.

“I believe it is necessary to increase the number of specially trained officers authorised to carry Tasers. This is necessary in order to better protect the people of Greater Manchester and the officers of Greater Manchester police.

“Keeping our communities safe is our number one priority and this uplift will allow us to better equip officers to respond to the increasing threat of terrorism and serious crime. It is often the case that just having a Taser officer present can diffuse a threatening situation without them actually having to use it or get involved in a physical confrontation.”

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Each officer selected to undergo training will go through a rigorous assessment process in line with national guidelines to ensure they are suitable to carry the weapon.

Ian Hanson, chair of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “We welcome the decision of the chief constable to double the number of Taser-trained officers policing the streets of Greater Manchester, and this has been done after we asked him to review the position last year.

“Recent events have demonstrated that we make big asks of police officers in keeping our communities safe, and it is entirely appropriate that they are provided with the appropriate support to do that.”