ACPO taser operational guidance

36'2005 - Revised Taser Operational Guidance - attachment.doc

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Operational Use ofTaserOperationalGuidance

36'2005 - Revised Taser Operational Guidance - attachment.doc

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Operational Use of TaserInvolving Authorised Firearms Officers.Notes for Guidance on Police Use

Operational Guidance Index

Page Preface…………………………………………………3 - 4Introduction……………………………………………5Description of Equipment……………………………5Modes of Operation…………………………………5Effects of the Taser…………………………………5 - 6Issue/Possession……………………………………6 - 7Possession outside Force Area……………………..7Specific Risk Factors…………………………………7 - 8Training…………………………………………………8Use………………………………………………………9Oral and Visual warnings………………………………10Aftercare…………………………………………………10 - 11Post Incident Procedures………………………………11 - 12Battery Maintenance……………………………………12Dataport Auditing………………………………………12Storage and Administration……………………………12 - 13Appendix ‘A’.. Cross Border Protocols………………14Appendix ‘B’… Independent Medical Statements………15 - 31Appendix ‘C’… Information sheet to subject/GP/Hospitals32 - 37Appendix ‘D’…Taser Battery Usage Form…………38Appendix ‘E’…M26 Taser Battery Recharging Form……39Appendix ‘F’…Generic Risk Assessment…………40 - 42Appendix ‘G’.. Health and Safety Legislation………43Appendix ‘H’…Evaluation Questionnaire…………44 - 52

Preface

36'2005 - Revised Taser Operational Guidance - attachment.doc

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1.1 Managing conflict and responding to violence are core police functions. Police response isunderpinned by Human Rights and in particular the obligation under Article 2 of the EuropeanConvention on Human Rights, to uphold the right to life.1.2 This guidance is intended to inform the operational use of taser electrical incapacitationdevices. The use will be limited to authorised police firearms officers and will be subject tocontinued monitoring and regular review. Guidance for the use of any other approved taserdevice will need to be agreed by the ACPO, in consultation with HOSDB, DSTL and DOMILL.1.3The original decision to move to an operational trial was informed by the detailed researchprogramme on electrical incapacitation devices, undertaken on behalf of ACPO by the HomeOffice Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB). This included a review of the medicalimplications of the use of such devices.1.4 The Secretary of State is supportive of an extension of the use of taser, subject to the sameoriginal operational parameters.1.5The use of the taser will be informed by reference to the ACPO Conflict Management Model,and is intended to provide firearms officers with an additional means of dealing with threats ofserious violence. The availability or deployment of the taser should not be considered as areplacement for conventional firearms.1.6 Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) are, in accordance with the ACPO Manual of Guidanceon Police Use of Firearms, issued with firearms –

where the authorising officer has reason to suppose that they, in the course of their duty, may have to protect themselves or others from a person who is

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in possession of a firearm, or

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has immediate access to a firearm, or

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is otherwise so dangerous that the officer’s use of a firearm may be necessary.1.7 The police use of force is governed by:

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Common Law

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Section 3 Criminal Law Act 1967

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Section 117 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

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The Human Rights Act 1998.1.8Article 2 of the UN Basic Principles on the use of Force and Firearms states that:‘Governments and law enforcement agencies should develop a range of means as broad aspossible and equip law enforcement officials with various types of weapons and ammunition