HUNDREDS of extra police officers will start carrying tasers next month - doubling the numbers currently armed with the stun weapon.
The national force is training an extra 520 officers to handle tasers in what its union calls “a step in the right direction”.
The Scottish Police Federation had been lobbying hard for better protection for both officers and public amid increasing concern about knives.
Its general secretary, Calum Steele, said he did not expect a huge rise in discharges of the weapons, which until now have only been carried by Scotland’s small but recently increased band of 365 armed officers. Only three people were tasered last year.
Officers are more concerned about having to subdue violent offenders by hand or using their truncheons. Tasers should allow officers to tackle violent suspects at a safer distance. The X2 weapon being deployed, which is powered by two AA batteries, has a range of about 15 feet.
Independent investigations continue in to the death of Sheku Bayoh while he was being restrained by police in 2015.
Mr Steele said: “We know from experience elsewhere that tasers can reduce assaults on police officers and the public and injuries to offenders. “The alternative to being tasered is the barbaric act of being bludgeoned into submission.”
The vast majority of SPF members who took part in a survey said they supported the roll-out of more tasers. An officer was stabbed on duty last year.
Mr Steele said: “Police officers are attending incidents where they face increased violence and individuals armed with weapons on a daily basis.
“They are subjected to assaults and regularly suffer injuries, some of which can be life-changing and career-ending.
“It is vital that officers have the necessary equipment and training so they can keep the public, and themselves, safe when responding to these incidents.
“A survey of our members showed overwhelming support for the provision of additional protective equipment and the training programme that will start shortly is a welcome step in the right direction.”
Chief Superintendent Matt Richards said all the 520 officers would be fully trained to use their taser with “a focus on dealing with vulnerable people and identifying risks”. Armed police specialise in de-escalation techniques and the new taser officers will be trained on how to avoid using their weapon. Front-line officers say simply “red-dotting” a suspect - firing up the taser and preparing to discharging - can have a deterrent effect. All discharges are investigated.
The deployment - which means around five per cent of all officers will have either a gun or a taser - brings Scotland more into line with England.
Former Chief Constable Phil Gormley began developing new taser policy before going on gardening leave last year and then quitting Scotland. The Scottish Police Authority backed the increased deployment before Christmas.
Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur sounded a note of caution. “Police officers need the tools to keep themselves and the public safe. But the Justice Secretary must provide assurances that this is not a one-way shift and a slippery slope towards an enforcement model of policing.
“Michael Matheson also needs to address the question of whether the increasing number of police armed with guns and tasers would be scaled back in the event that the threat to officers and the public decreases.”
Around 1,000 officers reported being assaulted last year, double the number now getting tasers.
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