Armed police in the U.K. remain a rarity (although police with guns in certain parts of London, like train stations and airports, is relatively common). Police with Tasers are still in the minority, although the electric-based weapons are being used more often by law enforcement officers.
A Taser or conducted electrical weapon is a type of electroshock weapon manufactured by the company Taser International. A Taser weapon launches two small dart-like electrodes. The electrodes remain connected to the main unit by conductors. The main device (“gun”) then delivers an electric current, which affects the voluntary control of muscles in the target person, causing “neuromuscular incapacitation.” The idea is that a suspect is controlled into a state of compliance through the pain the the electric current causes.
In the U.K. it is illegal for anyone other than an authorized police officer to own or use a Taser. Some police forces have been permitted by the British Home Secretary to use Tasers since 2007.
Tasers are more often than not successful. However, in one recent incident this was not the case. Following a call about a disturbance, Metropolitan Police officers arrived at a house in Kilburn Lane, Brent, north-west London. The report indicate that a man was behaving aggressively and carrying a knife.
In order to control the man, police officers tried several times to stun him with a Taser. The electrical weapon, which was reportedly functioning correctly, had no apparent effect on the suspect. Faced with a potentially dangerous situation, the police resorted to shooting (to wound) the man.
Speaking to a Guardian journalist, a Metropolitan Police spokesman stated: “Officers discharged Taser but with no apparent effect on the man. Firearms officers attended in support of local officers and Taser was discharged, again with no apparent effect. The man was then shot by police.”
The incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is customary every time a police officer uses a firearm. A separate investigation will be held about the reason why the Taser was seemingly ineffective.
