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30/01/2008
'Shock' Findings As Scientists Question Taser 'Safety'
Stunned pigs may lie at the heart of renewed doubts over the 'safety' of the controversial Taser stun guns.
Although specialist units of the PSNI are now to be armed with the weapons, which emit 50,000 volts, scientists at the trauma centre in Chicago's Cook County Hospital who stunned 11 pigs with the guns for two periods of 40 seconds at 15 second intervals, found that all of the animals suffered heart rhythm problems - two even died later.
Bob Walker, one of the lead researchers on the study, said the fact that one of the pigs died three minutes after being stunned cast doubt on the weapon's safety.
"It says that the effect of the Taser shot can last beyond the time when it's being delivered," he said.
"So, after the Taser shock ends, there can still be effects that can be evoked and you can still see cardiac effects.
However, Rick Smith, the CEO of Taser International, said he did not think much could be concluded from the Chicago study because it focused on pigs that weighed just over seven stones.
"The human studies are clearly much more relevant to policy-makers, and to people that are interested in the science of how Tasers affect people," he said.
The PSNI have purchased 12 of the weapons, which will be used in a pilot scheme by officers from the Special Operations Branch, from 2 February.
Speaking earlier this week, assistant Chief Constable for Operational Support Roy Toner, who is in charge of the pilot, said that officers had been trained to the highest national standards.
"In situations where there is a real risk to life or serious injury to officers, members of the public or the criminal, Taser remains a much more preferable alternative to shooting someone with live ammunition," he said.
(BMcC)
Although specialist units of the PSNI are now to be armed with the weapons, which emit 50,000 volts, scientists at the trauma centre in Chicago's Cook County Hospital who stunned 11 pigs with the guns for two periods of 40 seconds at 15 second intervals, found that all of the animals suffered heart rhythm problems - two even died later.
Bob Walker, one of the lead researchers on the study, said the fact that one of the pigs died three minutes after being stunned cast doubt on the weapon's safety.
"It says that the effect of the Taser shot can last beyond the time when it's being delivered," he said.
"So, after the Taser shock ends, there can still be effects that can be evoked and you can still see cardiac effects.
However, Rick Smith, the CEO of Taser International, said he did not think much could be concluded from the Chicago study because it focused on pigs that weighed just over seven stones.
"The human studies are clearly much more relevant to policy-makers, and to people that are interested in the science of how Tasers affect people," he said.
The PSNI have purchased 12 of the weapons, which will be used in a pilot scheme by officers from the Special Operations Branch, from 2 February.
Speaking earlier this week, assistant Chief Constable for Operational Support Roy Toner, who is in charge of the pilot, said that officers had been trained to the highest national standards.
"In situations where there is a real risk to life or serious injury to officers, members of the public or the criminal, Taser remains a much more preferable alternative to shooting someone with live ammunition," he said.
(BMcC)
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18 January 2017
PSNI 'Justified' In Using Taser During Four Incidents In NI
The PSNI were justified in using Taser stun guns during four incidents in Northern Ireland, the Police Ombudsman has concluded. The incidents took place at Cookstown, L'Derry, Lisburn and north Down. Dr Michael Maguire found that in each case the weapon had been used appropriately to prevent people causing harm to either themselves or others.
PSNI 'Justified' In Using Taser During Four Incidents In NI
The PSNI were justified in using Taser stun guns during four incidents in Northern Ireland, the Police Ombudsman has concluded. The incidents took place at Cookstown, L'Derry, Lisburn and north Down. Dr Michael Maguire found that in each case the weapon had been used appropriately to prevent people causing harm to either themselves or others.
07 May 2015
Police Use Of Tasers Was 'Lawful' And 'Necessary' - Report
Ten incidents in which police fired Tasers between July 2012 and June last year were "justified", a Police Ombudsman report has concluded. Dr Michael Maguire found that the use of Taser had on each occasion been lawful, proportionate and necessary given the risks faced by officers and the danger posed to members of the public.
Police Use Of Tasers Was 'Lawful' And 'Necessary' - Report
Ten incidents in which police fired Tasers between July 2012 and June last year were "justified", a Police Ombudsman report has concluded. Dr Michael Maguire found that the use of Taser had on each occasion been lawful, proportionate and necessary given the risks faced by officers and the danger posed to members of the public.
04 September 2015
Police Were Justified In Using Taser - Ombudsman
Police were justified in using Taser during four incidents which involved knives, according to the Police Ombudsman. Three of the incidents involved people self-harming, and in the other, officers feared a knife would be used against them. Dr Michael Maguire found that the use of Taser had in each instance been lawful, necessary and proportionate.
Police Were Justified In Using Taser - Ombudsman
Police were justified in using Taser during four incidents which involved knives, according to the Police Ombudsman. Three of the incidents involved people self-harming, and in the other, officers feared a knife would be used against them. Dr Michael Maguire found that the use of Taser had in each instance been lawful, necessary and proportionate.
02 October 2008
SF Oppose Policing Board Approval For Taser
Most members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board today agreed to support the Chief Constable's proposal to introduce the non-fatal protection device, Taser. Chairman of the Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: "This has been the subject of substantial debate and discussion over many months.
SF Oppose Policing Board Approval For Taser
Most members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board today agreed to support the Chief Constable's proposal to introduce the non-fatal protection device, Taser. Chairman of the Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: "This has been the subject of substantial debate and discussion over many months.
13 March 2014
Police Justify Using Tasers In Five Incidents
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has found that police were justified in using Tasers during five incidents involving people armed with knives. Four involved people who were threatening to harm or kill themselves, the other involved a person who was using a knife to threaten his mother and sister.
Police Justify Using Tasers In Five Incidents
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has found that police were justified in using Tasers during five incidents involving people armed with knives. Four involved people who were threatening to harm or kill themselves, the other involved a person who was using a knife to threaten his mother and sister.
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