Taser caution

On the one hand, we have warm, cuddly responses from our police and crime commissioner, while, on the other, we are informed of officers being trained to deploy Tasers in our midst.

The comments from another contributor concerning the effect of a Taser attack upon someone with mental health issues were timely and thoughtful.

What happens, however, if a young, gung-ho officer comes upon an older person, possibly shuffling or mumbling in a suspicious manner and who, unknown to the officer, has a weak heart?

If the officer feels sufficiently threatened, will he discharge his weapon?

Events in recent years suggest that it could happen.

We will, I’m sure, be told that training regimes will be designed to cope with such situations, but the combination of 50,000 volts and a weak heart could readily prove fatal.

Surely, if the deployment of Tasers is essential, it must be to the absolute minimum, under very strict control and only by officers with experience and common sense to read the situation.

Geoff Weston

Sutton Avenue

Rustington