Home Secretary Theresa May has ordered an official review into the use of Tasers by police forces across England and Wales, over concerns that the weapons are being used too often against the black community and people who are potentially vulnerable.
The Home Secretary has ordered clearer data on the use of Tasers and the circumstances in which they are used – including the outcome of incidents in which Tasers are used by police during an arrest.
The review is part of the Home Office’s efforts to bring transparency to policing.
Mrs May was addressing a conference on policing and mental health when she announced the review. She previously called for more scrutiny of police stop and search powers, with the result that a fall in the number of stop and searches was recorded.
The police are also working with mental health professionals in police stations and in frontline policing to help officers recognise when a suspect might have a mental health problem, rather than just being aggressive or resisting arrest.
Mrs May linked the need for a review into the use of Tasers to her previous call for more data on stop and search, in an effort to bring “proper transparency” in policing to the public.
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Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can also advise on arrest by the police which may have involved undue force or inappropriate restraints, including the use of Tasers, police dogs or firearms.
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