Following recent public commentary on the Chief Constables vision for increasing the provision of conducted energy devices (CEDs) to frontline officers across the police service, can the Chief Constable provide further information outlining the tactical needs assessment for this proposed increase and whether there are any identifiable risks as a result. In light of the publicity surrounding the Chief Constable’s intention to increase the provision of CED’s could he also set out details of the assurances in place which support the operational use of CEDs in accordance with law and human rights obligations.
PSNI’s Operational Support Department is currently preparing an options paper setting out the current Conducted Energy Device (CED) capacity within PSNI and examining options for a potential uplift, should such a decision be made, in line with ongoing national considerations around officer and public safety.
The options for discussion include:-
- No Change - Retain our current Taser capacity
- Uplift Armed Response Unit (ARU) officer numbers and therefore CED capacity
- Issue Tactical Support Group (TSG) with Taser thereby increasing CED capacity
- Issue LPT/NPT with Taser thereby increasing CED capacity.
- Issue Taser dependent upon officer choice subject to role and competence, thereby increasing CED capacity.
A tactical needs assessment will form part of this options paper. This analysis will focus on officer and public safety. It will consider existing and potential demand by examining assaults on officers, incidents when knives or guns are used and any other incidents where CED might be deployed.
Operational risks associated with an increase in Taser capacity include costs, training, and command and control. Risks will be identified and examined in detail in the options paper.
Human rights compliance will be a central consideration for each option, in particular the requirement for police to protect life and protect property. The view of PSNI’s Human Rights Legal Advisor will be included in the options paper.
Existing command and control around deployment and use of Taser is stringent and will remain a central consideration of all the options for PSNI. All ‘use of force’ is recorded and monitored within PSNI. All Taser use is also reported to the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland as well as to the secretariat of the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Working Group on Less Lethal Weapons. It is anticipated that the options report will be available during November 2019.
I can assure Members that, as outlined in my letter of 10 October 2019, I will ensure full consultation with the Board prior to reaching a final decision.