Police Taser Rollout Agreed

More Jersey Police officers will be able to carry and use tasers.

A trial allowing officers who are trained to a national standard to carry and use a taser at their discretion has been made permanent.

Previously they had only been carried by firearms officers and used only with authorisation.

Taser was drawn 22 times and fired on three occasions during the eight month test period, which started in March 2021.

Home Affairs Minister Deputy Gregory Guida said they are an extremely useful tool for the police and are seldom used.

"They have very probably saved lives already this year during the training period while used by specially-trained officers. They not only save the lives of the officers carrying them, but at least half of the time, they save the lives of the people at the other end.

The States of Jersey Police has about 15,000 interactions with the public every year. Out of these, about 400 involve the use of force, so it's a very small percentage - less than 3% - and out of these, 10% involve the use of an energy directed device.

People submit when they see them and this has avoided violence because the alternative is violence, this has avoid violence in dozens and dozens of cases."

The Children, Education and Home Affairs Panel wanted the trial period to be extended for a further 18 months.

It raised concerns that the initial trial period took place during the pandemic, which may not have reflected 'normal life' in Jersey.

It was also worried about the perception of policing in the island, and about officers with taser possibly going to incidents alone.

Panel chair Deputy Rob Ward said, if the trial was extended, the next States Assembly would be able to make an informed choice.

"With this (extended) trial in place and the detail that comes from it, the next (States) Assembly will be enriched with information and data so that they can make the right choice... and they are not left with a choice from this Assembly which some could consider is not rich enough because of the context of the trial itself during Covid times."

But the trial extension was rejected by 29 votes to 15, with some States members questioning whether it was necessary.

Deputy Guida said extending the trial would be overly bureaucratic, burdensome, and disproportionate - and that the police would find it more difficult to make long-term planning decisions, including with finances and training.

The Constable of St Clement, Marcus Troy, said the statistics during the height of the pandemic, compared to now, will bring the same percentages.

"Same ratios of mental health (incidents), same ratios of under 18 (incidents), what you will find out is you'll probably have double the number (of incidents) because we're now in busier times.

I believe that the States of Jersey Police have a rolling statistic going on that every time a taser is drawn, there will be a report and counter-report, there will be witness statements etc etc.

In all my dealings in licencing and hospitality, I've never called into question what the States of Jersey Police have done for us."

Following questions from Deputy Ward, Deputy Guida told the States Assembly that the intention of the States of Jersey Police is to have 18 specially trained officers to use taser if necessary.

Officers without taser have PAVA spray and a baton as protection measures.

Children's Commissioner Deborah McMillan has been a vocal critic of the use of taser and called for their use on children to be 'completely eliminated.'

I recommend that the use of Tasers on children be completely eliminated; failing that,
there should be a ‘strong presumption’ against their use on under 18s.

— Deborah McMillan - Children's Commissioner (@ChildComJersey) March 29, 2022

In Jersey a third of incidents that required police officers to draw a taser during an eight-month trial involved a person having a mental health crisis. https://t.co/Q4HQLl9h8e

— Deborah McMillan - Children's Commissioner (@ChildComJersey) March 29, 2022

Constable Richard Buchanan, who has been a member of the Honorary Police, addressed Deborah McMillan's comments.

"Yes of course police officers don't like drawing tasers on young children, and I'm sure that when they have done so either the child's life or their life or both lives are at threat.

All I would say to the Children's Commissioner is if she's in any doubt about why it happens, she probably should go out on the patrol and see where it's used in action and then perhaps she might understand why that happened."

States members approved making the trial permanent by 35 votes to 8.

The decision ha been welcomed by the States of Jersey Police.

Detective Inspector Chris Beechey says it gives the force another tactical option and increases not only the safety of officers sent to deal with such situations, but also those members of the public involved in them.

"The States were particularly interested in the data attributed to incidents involving mental health and young people and once again were satisfied that the comprehensive training and procedural measures now in place and that such matters over the last year had been appropriately managed.

Data pertaining to the use of Taser will continue to be collected and scrutinised by the Force and used to ensure that all such matters are appropriately managed to the future."