Northern Ireland Policing Board

Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board today (Thursday 4 October) received an update from the Policing Board’s Human Rights Advisors on the implications of the PSNI’s proposed introduction of TASER.

At the meeting Members held a lengthy debate on a number of issues including the PSNI’s plans to introduce TASER on a pilot basis prior to the completion of an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA); the development of policy, guidance and training for officers who would be issued with TASER; and the assessment of the existence of a ‘capability gap’ requiring the introduction of TASER.

Following discussion, it was the majority view of the Board that:

“The Board notes the advice of its Human Rights Advisors, which has been issued to all Members.

It is the position of the Board without prejudice:

· To further communications and discussions between the PSNI and the Equality Commission, between the PSNI and the Board and between the Board and the Equality Commission; and

· To the ultimate decision of the Board and the results of the EQIA.

The Board understands that the PSNI are currently carrying out an EQIA in accordance with advice provided by the Equality Commission. It is the view of the Board that there should be no deployment of TASER prior to the completion of the EQIA.

Further, the Board would expect that, consistent with undertakings the PSNI have already provided and in the time period required to complete the EQIA, that the Board’s Human Rights Advisors are consulted and satisfied with respect to outstanding concerns, namely:

· Agreement on the proper legal test for the use of TASER.

· Identification of the ‘capability gap’ based on the agreed legal test.

· Efficacy of the policy guidance and training regarding the use of TASER.”

The Chief Constable has been advised of the Board’s majority view on this issue.

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For more information please contact the Northern Ireland Policing on 028 9040 8565 or 07801738795

Notes to editors:

• Board Members present at the meeting were: Martina Anderson, Tom Buchanan, Leslie Cree, Barry Gilligan, Dolores Kelly, Alex Maskey, Basil McCrea, Daithß McKay, Rosaleen Moore, Gearóid Ó hEara, Professor Sir Desmond Rea, Brian Rea, Trevor Ringland, David Rose, Suneil Sharma and Peter Weir.

2. The discussion on TASER took place at the Policing Board’s meeting today at the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor.

1. An update on the human rights implications of the proposed introduction of TASER, and further advice on this matter, was provided by the Board’s Human Rights Advisors, Keir Starmer QC and Jane Gordon.

• The Board’s Human Rights Advisors initially provided the Policing Board’s Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee with detailed advice on the proposed introduction of TASER in June 2007. This advice was accepted by the Committee and Chief Constable accepted the action points contained within it. At a further meeting on 12 September, the Committee agreed to seek clarification from the Board’s Human Rights Advisers on the status of recommendations made in their report.

Notes to Editors ends