Tasers

Summary

The Isle of Man Constabulary responded to a request regarding Taser usage statistics and public firearms training schedules. The authority disclosed that Tasers have been discharged 7 times total since their introduction, with specific details on dates, locations, and targets, while noting that records for public firearms training frequency are not kept.

Key Facts

• Tasers have been discharged 5 times since 2011 and 2 times prior to 2011.
• Only one Taser discharge was on an animal; all others were on people.
• Discharges on people occurred in Douglas, while the discharge on an animal occurred in Onchan.
• Taser devices have a fixed voltage set by the manufacturer with no option to adjust it.
• The Constabulary does not keep a record of how often firearms training takes place in the public domain.

Data Disclosed

• 5 occasions since 2011
• 2 further discharges prior to 2011
• January 2015
• December 2017
• July 2017
• July 2018
• August 2018
• 588334
• 2018-09-05
• 2018-09-10

Original Request

How many times have tasers been used since they have been brought in? How many times have they been used, broken down month by month? How many times have tasers been used on animals, and how many times on people? Where on the Island have tasers been used? How many times have tasers been used on maximum voltage? Also - how many times does the police schedule public training with guns (each year)?

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Department of Home Affairs Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas Isle of Man, IM2 5PA Tel: +44(0)1624631394 Email: Mark.Britton@gov.im Our ref: 588334 8 September 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 5 September 2018 and which states:

"How many times have tasers been used since they have been brought in? How many times have they been used, broken down month by month? How many times have tasers been used on animals, and how many times on people? Where on the Island have tasers been used? How many times have tasers been used on maximum voltage? Also - how many times does the police schedule public training with guns (each year)?"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

"How many times have tasers been used since they have been brought in? Since 2011 Taser’s have been discharged on 5 occasions (2 further discharges prior to 2011) the Constabulary takes a balanced approach towards the use of the Taser as an option in resolving incidents and in line with the National Decision Making Model and in line with National guidelines.

How many times have they been used, broken down month by month? How many times have tasers been used on animals, and how many times on people? - Once on an animal all others on people. January 2015 x 1 person December 2017 x 1 person July 2017 x 1 person July 2018 x 1 animal August 2018 x 1 person Where on the Island have tasers been used?
All discharges on people have been within Douglas and the discharge on an animal was in Onchan. How many times have tasers been used on maximum voltage? The devices are purchased with a set voltage from the manufacturer – there is no option to adjust the voltage. Also - how many times does the police schedule public training with guns (each year)? Authorised Firearm Officers (AFO’s) are trained in line with the UK National Curriculum for AFO’s. This follows an initial course in which training and assessment is provided. Officers undertake firearms training in addition to their everyday roles. The Constabulary is committed to ensuring that the standards are high and the training provides opportunities to learn and develop skills in order to support the role and keep people safe. Sometimes the training takes place in the public domain and the Constabulary does not keep a record of the number of times that this is the case. The Constabulary possess limited specialised facilities for training and the ethos is to training for reality in real conditions. However this is done with specific health and safety risk assessments and under the guidance of trained staff and the leadership of the lead Firearms trainer.
Please quote the reference number 588334 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely