The Government is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing the physical violence that is sometimes directed against them. Decisions about the selection and purchase of police equipment are primarily for chief officers of police. The Government\u2019s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory provides scientific and technical advice to support the police, including the development and management of protective equipment standards, such as body armour and personal defence sprays.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-26T14:58:51.63Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the protection available to police officers who are not trained in the use of stun guns.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"} ], "uin" : "267222"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091607", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091607/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is committed to giving the police the necessary tools to do their job effectively and conducted energy devices (CEDs), such as TASER®, provide officers with an important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations.<\/p>
The deployment of CEDs is a matter for Chief Officers to determine and it is for them to determine the number of devices and specially trained officers based on their force assessment of threat and risk<\/p>
The training of police officers is independent of Government and it is the College of Policing who sets the professional standards for policing. However, all officers receive comprehensive training in deescalation techniques as well as training to assess the potential vulnerabilities of a person including awareness of mental health issues.<\/p>
The Government is clear that nobody should be subject to force or different treatment based on their race or ethnicity, and police forces must ensure that officers use force in a way that is fair, lawful and proportionate.<\/p>
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability around the police use of force, which is why from December 2018 the Home Office began publishing use of force statistics as part of the Annual Data Review (ADR). This will be published on an annual basis.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-02T16:03:44.597Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to train police officers to use de-escalation techniques to reduce the number of incidents involving tasers; and what assessment they have made of the proportion of incidents involving the use of tasers where the target is (1) a member of an ethnic minority, or (2) a person with a mental health condition or learning disability.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4297", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} ], "uin" : "HL14654"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091608", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1091608/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government recognises that Body Worn Video (BWV) can be a powerful tool and can play an important role in reassuring the public that the police are using their powers appropriately and proportionately. How a force deploys BWV is an operational matter for PCC\u2019s and Chief Constables to determine.<\/p>
We are committed to giving the police the necessary tools to do their job and Tasers provide officers with an important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations. However, the Government is clear that all use of force must be lawful, proportionate and necessary in all circumstances.<\/p>
As at January 2019, 66,000 BWV cameras have been deployed across po-lice forces in England and Wales. All 43 forces are due to complete their deployment plans to increase their BWV capability by the end of 2019, which will take the number of cameras to approximately 80,000.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-02T15:30:58.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to requiring all police officers in England and Wales carrying tasers to be equipped with Body Worn Video devices in order to reduce the number of incidents where tasers are used.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4297", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} ], "uin" : "HL14655"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1055002", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1055002/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All armed officers are required to be Taser trained and carry the device. As at 31 March 2018, there were 6,459 armed officers in England and Wales.<\/p>
Unarmed officers can also carry the device if they have completed special Taser training. However, the number of specially trained Taser officers is an operational matter for chief officers to determine based on their assessment of threat and risk. The Home Office does not hold information on the number of unarmed officers who have been trained.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-08T12:07:01.943Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of police officers that are trained to use a taser in each police force.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Jim Cunningham"} ], "uin" : "216915"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/926440", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/926440/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are committed to giving the police the necessary tools to do their job and TASER®, a form of conducted energy device (CED), provides officers with an important less-lethal, tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations<\/p>
While its use must be in line with the Home Secretary\u2019s authorisation of the device, the deployment of TASER® is an operational matter for Chief Officers. It is for them to determine the number of devices and specially trained officers based on their force assessment of threat and risk<\/p>
The use of CEDs is currently limited to officers who have completed their probationary period and been confirmed in rank. Officers who wish to undertake CED training are also required to have the support of their supervisor and have to successfully pass the training. Any change to this model, including the eligibility of officers to apply for special training, would require formal consideration by the Home Secretary.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-28T13:51:01.34Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any category of police officer dealing with the public is excluded from being eligible for training in the use of Tasers and from being issued with them; and if so, on what grounds.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/346", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Stamford"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Davies of Stamford"} ], "uin" : "HL8701"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851774", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851774/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are committed to giving the police the necessary tools to do their job and TASER®<\/sup>, a form of conducted energy device (CED), provides officers with an important less-lethal, tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations.<\/p> While its use must be in line with the Home Secretary\u2019s authorisation of the device, the deployment of TASER® <\/sup>is an operational matter for Chief Officers. It is for them to determine the number of devices and specially trained officers based on their force assessment of threat and risk.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-07T15:59:41.367Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of equipping more police officers with Taser non-lethal weapons, and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4600", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Leo Docherty"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aldershot"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Leo Docherty"}
], "uin" : "130537"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/690395", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/690395/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Secretary has received a formal request from the police to authorise a replacement conductive energy device for use by police forces in England and Wales. A decision will be made in due course<\/p> The operational usage, testing and procurement of police equipment are matters for Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4009", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Brandon Lewis"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-02-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "64086"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-02-22T15:28:52.06Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-02-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will provide additional funding for a roll-out of the Taser X2 to those frontline officers who wish to be trained to carry it.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4472", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Holly Lynch"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Halifax"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Holly Lynch"}
], "uin" : "64085"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/690396", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/690396/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Secretary has received a formal request from the police to authorise a replacement conductive energy device for use by police forces in England and Wales. A decision will be made in due course<\/p> The operational usage, testing and procurement of police equipment are matters for Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4009", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Brandon Lewis"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-02-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "64085"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-02-22T15:28:52.107Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-02-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Stun Guns"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Government plans to approve the use of the Taser X2 for police forces across England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4472", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Holly Lynch"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Halifax"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Holly Lynch"}
], "uin" : "64086"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/678093", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/678093/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "