More Police Scotland officers should carry tasers, says chief constable

More police officers should carry tasers to deter violent attacks against them, Police Scotland’s chief constable has said.

Scotland’s police force will consider a potential rollout of more tasers – devices which use electricity to immobilise individuals – to frontline officers.

However, chief constable Jo Farrell said any expansion of their use would depend on the money available to the force and their use would be a personal choice for officers.

On Monday, Police Scotland published its three-year business plan aimed at strengthening capacity for frontline duties.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell was outlining the force’s vision for the future. PA Media

The police service pledged that “every community in Scotland would have identifiable local officers” but it is understood the overall number of officers working across the force will not increase.

Chief constable Farrell discussed the report with journalists on Monday.

She said the rollout of body-worm cameras, one of her key priorities since taking over in October last year, had been delayed due to “complex” technical issues – but she hoped it would take place by spring 2025.

It is hoped that the cameras, which are used by many other police forces in the UK, will provide greater reassurance and reduce the need for officers to appear in person in courtrooms.

The chief constable said all police officers in Scotland patrol “double-crewed” – in teams of at least two – but there have been concerns around police being attacked with weapons.

She said: “It’s really, really important that officers are equipped to be able to operate in that environment.

“We have a disproportionately low number of officers that are equipped with (a) taser. I would want to see that increasing in time.

“That’s not to say it wouldn’t be a personal choice for an individual officer.

“But should an officer want to carry (a) taser – the feedback I’ve heard firsthand is that it would have a deterrent effect.”

Farrell said she would want to have an increasing number of officers trained and equipped with tasers in the coming years, but Police Scotland would ultimately be limited by financial considerations.

The use of tasers has been backed by the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers.

A police officer demonstrates how to use a taser. PA Media

A survey the SPF carried out in 2021 found 84% of officers wanted the option of carrying a taser.

Much of the Police Scotland business plan focussed on how to ensure police spend as much time as possible on frontline duties.

Officers are “far, far too involved” in mental health cases, the chief constable said.

This can include waiting alongside individuals who are in A&E awaiting assessment, she said.

Farrell also indicated that Police Scotland’s estate would have to change, including the closure of certain buildings.

She said “difficult choices” are ahead on the police estate and she is aware that some are “wedded” to buildings.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: “People across Scotland will welcome the chief constable’s ambition for a visible police presence in their communities, but that can only happen if SNP ministers stop inflicting extreme cuts to police budgets.

“This pledge also does not address the fact that Police Scotland is forecast to lose officers faster than they can be replaced.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The police budget claim is completely inaccurate.

“Record police funding of £1.55bn this year – an increase of £92.7m – means Police Scotland will take on more recruits this year than at any time since 2013.

“Police Scotland indicated that there were around 16,400 officers at the beginning of August, with more than 690 new officers recruited since March.

“Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and this continues to be a safe place to live, with recorded crime at one of the lowest levels since 1974 and down 40% since 2006-07.”