Are They Just Tasing Us?

There are signs that the much needed public debate on the use of tasers by the police may be beginning. Although the issue has received limited coverage in the mainstream media, it seems to have been picked up by the local press (surveyed via Google News) and every article contains at least a sentence (and often much more) on the potential dangers. An article from the Liverpool Daily Post (about which I know precisely nought) even offers both sides the space to express their opinion on suggestions by Merseyside's Cheif Constable that the weapons be issued to every officer on Merseyside. There is some contextual background, an argument for such an introduction by Ian Leyland, secretary of the Merseyside Police Federation (essentailly a police trade union) and an argument against by Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK. You might be able to guess where my sympathies lie, but those of you interested in finding out more could do worse than starting here.