Number of GMP trained taser officers to be doubled

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins

The number of Greater Manchester Police officers trained in the use of tasers is to be doubled - the uplift will see the amount of officers trained rise to 1,100.

The decision has been made to provide increased protection to the people of Greater Manchester and police officers responding to serious incidents.

This follows the recent terror attacks in Manchester and London.

Each officer selected to undergo training will go through a rigorous assessment process, in line with national guidelines, to ensure that they are suitable to carry a taser.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “The threat level we are facing is significant as we have seen from recent atrocities in our city and in the capital. We have seen attacks targeting innocent people in crowded places using knives, causing death and serious injury.

“I believe it is necessary to increase the number of specially trained officers authorised to carry tasers. This is necessary in order to better protect the people of Greater Manchester and the officers of Greater Manchester Police.

“Keeping our communities safe is our number one priority and this uplift will allow us to better equip officers to respond to the increasing threat of terrorism and serious crime.

“It is often the case that just having a taser officer present can diffuse a threatening situation without them actually having to use it or get involved in a physical confrontation.

“This was not a decision taken lightly and we have consulted with and worked very closely with Greater Manchester Police Federation and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

“We have received unilateral support from both for the decision to better protect the public and officers. The Deputy Mayor has authorised the capital expenditure of £1.03M to allow me to take this decision.”

Ian Hanson, Chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation said: “We welcome the decision of the Chief Constable to double the number of taser trained officers policing the streets of Greater Manchester and this has been done after we asked him to review the position last year.

“Recent events have demonstrated that we make big asks of police officers in keeping our communities safe and it is entirely appropriate that they are provided with the appropriate support to do that.

“This decision goes a long way to ensuring that they can continue to protect our communities whilst keeping themselves safe at the same time.”