By Police1 Staff
LONDON — After recent terror attacks in the UK, more officers are set to receive TASERs to protect themselves.
Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told the Harrow Times that over 1,800 additional officers will receive TASERs, bringing the total number to more than 6,400. Currently, only officers with more than two years of experience are issued TASERs, the Express UK reported.
The decision came following an increase in violent crime and attacks against police officers. Conversations began again after PC Wayne Marques told Britain’s Press Association about how he fought off the three extremists in a market on June 3 with only his baton.
“I took a deep breath and I just charged the first one [attacker],” he said “As I got near him I swung at him with everything I had as hard as I could, straight through his head, trying to go for like a knockout blow.”
According to The Telegraph, assaults against officers near the capital increased from 2,486 in 2015 to 2,676 last year. Dick said this will help officers keep the public safe from harm.
“With this uplift, my officers will be better-equipped to protect the public and themselves,” she said. “We know that the mere presence of a TASER is often enough to defuse a dangerous situation and often get a suspect to drop their weapon if they’re armed.”
Officers must complete a selection and training process before they’re issued a TASER. The rollout will take place within a couple of weeks and training will take place over two years.