“Ah, here we go again. The same old argument about police bullies tasering people randomly and at every opportunity. Presumably the people who made those comments don't have to deal with violent persons on a weekly basis. Unfortunately when people become violent on drugs or drink they don't necessarily respond to the talk softly approach and can't be easily overpowered by force (the drugs tend to give them super-human strength).
I am a police officer, and I have never yet had to use my spray or baton but would welcome a taser at my side for that "one" occasion where I might require to save the life of a member of the public, a colleague's life or my own.
Maybe all those in opposition to the police having access to one would rather the police were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, just so the poor old violent thug doesn't get hurt.
I hope that Devon & Cornwall constabulary issue them to every front line officer immediately, whatever the financial cost.”

“And, as for the criminals. They have had these for years, along with knuckle dusters, battons, knives, CS spray.. not forgetting guns. 99% of the time, the public aren't affected but the Police see it EVERY DAY, even down here in the West country.”

“Walter, very well said. I totally agree with you.”

“Walter, or can I call you Wally?
What a stupid thing to say. 'If an officer can't get the upper hand through diplomacy, his fists or a billy club, then he has no place on the force'
Of course every officer would try / consider diplomacy first. After every use of the Taser there would be an investigation . Officers are going to use this only when appropriate and necessary. As for fists and billy clubs? This is exactly what we aim to avoid by using the Taser. Just having one of these levelled at you by an officer will negate the need for its full deployment and ceratinly prevent people getting their 'billy clubs' out.”

“Newspapers in this country constantly are filled with stories about tasered victims dying as a result of injuries inflicted by this cowardly weapon in the hands of police. I always have cited my hometown of Plymouth as a typical example of why this dangerous weapon should have no place in a police arsenal. If an officer can't get the upper hand through diplomacy, his fists or a billy club, then he has no place on the force. Here, one has only to look sideways at a member of the Blue Brotherhood, and out comes the taser...And contrary to some comments posted here, I have yet to learn of any of the 'criminal element' carrying or using the weapon. I would urge all citizens to think twice before permitting police officers to carry such a potentially-dangerous instrument.”

“I think giving the police a taser is a great idea. They will only actually be triggered in extreme circumstances. But pointing a taser at anyone resisting arrest (without having to use the trigger) is bound to make the criminal back down so therefore easier to then make the arrest! About time the police were given more 'powers' !”

“I have just Googled Taser and there are a minimum of ten sites openly selling Tasers, stun guns, pepper spray and the like, so any criminal who would use one of these guns probably already has one.
s for the wrong person being hit, I don't think so as these guns virtually have to be held against the body to be used.”

“Whether one agrees or disagrees with their use, can you imagine how many times the tazer will hit the wrong person and how many law suits this will bring about?”

“This sounds like a better idea than the mosqito machines hope they use them regulary against the yobs who congregate around the city doing criminal damage,but i suppose they wont as the human rights brigade wont let them”

“Pat plymouth,in recent years the police have in fact taken simular weapons off the criminal element.”