From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > STUN GUNS CONSIDERED AS POLICE DEMAND NEW WEAPONS > > 091636 FEB 10 > > By David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent, PA News > > The police have asked Government scientists to help them find a new weapon > to use alongside CS spray and the traditional baton, it was revealed today. > > Devices under consideration include an electrical stun gun which fires out > two wires and delivers a high-voltage shock to incapacitate suspects, > Police Review magazine reported. > > Other possibilities include new types of chemical weapons and so-called > "kinetic energy weapons" - low-powered guns which fire rubber bullets or > bean bags. > > In a development which could see British officers take another step away > from their unarmed status, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) > has submitted operational requirements for a new weapon to the Home Office. > > Officers want something less lethal than a gun but more effective over > greater distances than CS spray, said Inspector Neil Haynes, former > assistant secretary to ACPO's self-defence, arrest and restraint > sub-committee. > > "This is particularly now that the Human Rights Act is out there because of > the need to act proportionately," he told Police Review. > > "In order to operate truly proportionately we need more options to consider > - more tools in the toolbox." > > In October, police in Nottingham became the first in mainland Britain to go > on routine patrol with sidearms. > > Nottinghamshire Police said arming the officers with Walther P990 pistols > was necessary to reassure residents of two violent areas of the city they > were combating gun crime. > > Insp Haynes added that ACPO was seeking a "less lethal" weapon, which was > "unlikely to cause fatal or serious injury" and simple to operate. > > It should function at longer distances than officers' current kit, in the > order of more than 80ft, he added. > > An ACPO spokesman said: "This is trying to plug a very real operational > need. > > "We are not going to start using some of the wackier, American-style stuff, > such as sticky nets that officers fire at suspects. > > "Whatever we adopt will be in the proper tradition of British policing, and > we are committed to maintaining what's essentially an unarmed police force. > > "Any new piece of equipment will be seen within that framework - it cannot > be seen as an offensive weapon. > > "It has yet to be decided if it would be something carried by the average > constable or issued for specific occasions." > > Weapons currently on the market will be assessed by the Hertfordshire-based > Police Scientific Development Branch in partnership with the Defence > Evaluation and Research Agency at Farnborough, Hants. > > A Home Office spokesman told PA News: "We are looking into this request > from ACPO." > > Welcoming the development, a spokesman for the Police Complaints Authority > said: "Any safe alternative which could be found to having to resort to > firearms would be good for everyone concerned. > > "This is a move to find an alternative to lethal force and no-one is > suggesting it would be used routinely. > > "At the moment, the levels of force start with batons and CS spray at close > range, then there's a leap to firearms - anything that can be introduced > between them may save lives." > > Former Conservative Home Secretary Michael Howard gave the go-ahead for > police to carry long-handled US-style batons in 1994 and two years later CS > sprays became part of the constable's armoury. > > There are still concerns about the safety of CS spray, which some believe > can be dangerous when used on people with weak lungs or on the mentally ill > who are taking anti-psychotic drugs. > > ~~~~~~~ Er! Excuse me master - what about us lot? Kenneth Pantling Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________ T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01
