Police to Start Carrying Tasers This Week
At a press conference this afternoon, the Bermuda Police announced plans for officers to begin carrying tasers. Approximately 1 in 3 officers will be carrying them starting this week. All officers who will carry tasers are previously trained and certified as firearm officers, and have received 8 hours of taser specific training.
The electroshock weapon the Bermuda Police will use shoot electrical currents from up to 25 feet away which will cause the individual to immediately drop to the ground through temporary muscular incapacitation. According to the manufacturer, the voltage is up to 50,000. The tasers all have an “anti felon identification” [AFID] system.
Police Constable Brian MacNab demonstrating the taser
The approximate cost for the tasers and related training was $150,000 and was covered in the 2009/10 budget.
Proponents of tasers call them a less lethal weapon, and far safer then other methods of subduing people.
Overseas police officers have pointed out they have used tasers in situations where there only other alternative would be a firearm, which obviously would result in far greater injury, or certain death. This sentiment was echoed by Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva, who said the implementation of tasers is another step to making the use of firearms the ultimate last resort.
The Bermuda Police are battling increasing crime levels, in particular shootings which have become far more prevalent in Bermuda. Minister of Public Safety Lt. Col. David Burch said that there was no specific legislation needed for the Police to be allowed to carry tasers.
A closeup of the taser
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Minister Burch’s full statement on tasers from Feb 2010:
Madam President, let me first remind of a Ministerial Statement made in this place on 23 November 2009 when I addressed a matter that threatens our very existence – the eruption of gun crime in our country.I said then and believe now that the Bermuda Government does not have a “magic bullet” to fix the gang activity that is currently plaguing our island home! In fact, Madam President, there is no “magic bullet” to fix the gang activity.
We cannot fix the gang issue overnight. We cannot turn bad to good overnight. Change can only happen if we each do our part.
Madam President, let me first deal with the law and order aspect of what we are doing.
I am pleased to report that we have seen:
* More community police officers on foot patrols.
* More visible police officers in densely populated areas.
* More police patrols in identified hot spots.
* Action is being taken to combat the increasing use of guns among gang members.
Madam President, I can further report that the Government, Government House and the Bermuda Police Service are on the same page with regard to addressing violent crime. His Excellency, the Governor and I together meet weekly with the Commissioner and his senior leadership team – as well we meet individually with them.
Madam President, Senate will already be aware of the various actions taken by the Police to increase operational deployments. I can confirm that a small team from the FBI was on Island last month to conduct a 2 day workshop on gang tactics for the BPS and members of the Justice system.
Madam President, His Excellency and I met with the team and BPS leadership prior to the start of the workshop – those discussions were very fruitful and will likely lead to further assistance. A return visit is anticipated following the establishment of a Joint Task Force on Gangs – one of the recommendations from the workshop – comprising all those agencies likely to be engaged in the fight against gangs – the Bermuda Police Service, H. M. Customs, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Immigration, the Department of Court Services and the Department of Public Prosecutions.
Madam President, Government has accepted the offer from the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg of assistance of officers from the NYC Police Department Gang Unit. Those discussions are ongoing but considering the political climate both here and in New York there will be no further public comment.
Madam President, additionally Government has approved the recruitment on of a contingent of fire arms trained officers from the UK to supplement BPS stretched resources.
Madam President, the Bermuda Police Service undertook a study to consider the current range of use-of-force options available to it, and to consider the possible use of Electro – Muscular Disruption Technology, commonly referred to as Taser in Bermuda.
Madam President, the less-lethal use of force options primarily available to Bermuda police officers are empty hand techniques, Captor spray and ASP batons. Research has revealed that Captor spray is not always effective, particularly when the subject is under the influence of intoxicants or drugs. There is a significant gap in the available range of less-lethal weapons that result in the Service being ill-equipped to deal with certain types of incidents. This gap could result in an officer justifiably shooting an individual with a firearm due to the unavailability of a suitable alternative option.
Madam President, the study revealed that Taser would enable the Service to effectively deal with specific life-threatening incidents and bridge the current gap. Taser is a brand name for an Electro-Muscular Disruption Technology device that uses electricity to induce involuntary muscle contractions that cause temporary incapacitation.
Madam President, Taser devices have been subjected to independent testing in the United Kingdom (UK) and have been found to have a very low risk of causing serious or life-threatening injury.
Taser devices have built-in accountability measures to determine when and how they are deployed, thereby significantly minimizing the potential for inappropriate use of the device. These measures include a camera fitted to the Taser to record the incident.
Madam President, UK police forces have been issuing Taser to armed officers since 2004 as a less lethal option for authorized firearms deployments. Following the success of a 12-month trial period that commenced in September 2007, the UK Home Secretary has authorized the use of Tasers by specially trained units, who are not firearms trained, in accordance with the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) guidelines.
The UKCOT Firearms Working Group also supports the issuing of Taser to member countries. UKCOT – being the United Kingdom Caribbean Overseas Territories of Bermuda, Cayman, BVI, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla & Montserrat – a joint working group between the 6 police services that set policy on the use of firearms.
Madam President, a phased approach for implementation of Taser in Bermuda has been agreed, commencing with issue to BPS firearms officers and, subsequently, to other specially trained units.
It is anticipated that the implementation of Taser will enable the Bermuda Police Service to more effectively deal with issues where persons are threatening the lives of others or themselves.
Madam President, I can report that I have approved the purchase of the initial deployment of Tasers. We believe that amendments to current legislation are unnecessary but have asked the Attorney General to confirm this and will advance any appropriate legislative amendments should that be necessary.
Government is committed to the maintenance of law and order; we will continually review our options in concert with the Bermuda Police Service leadership and Government House and adjust our actions accordingly.
Madam President, a word about Police funding is necessary as I am sure this is a subject the combined Opposition focus upon. Clearly the current budget does not include amounts for the increased resources that have been deployed in recent months to address the challenges we face. Nor will the Budget being tabled in a few weeks provide for this increased level of policing assistance but let me assure Senate and the general public that I have already had these discussions with the Minister of Finance and my Cabinet colleagues and received an undertaking to meet these commitments.
Those are the tough options – strong law enforcement but not surprisingly, Madam President, as a caring Government who believes in rehabilitation and redemption there are opportunities for those who wish to change their behaviour to do so. I encourage families to take advantage of the agencies both Government and private that already exist to assist and likewise participate in those new organistions created to meet this current challenge.
If we want – as we say we do a peaceful, safe country for our children and grandchildren; then we have to be willing to be witnesses. We have to be willing to identify wrong, to stand up and denounce evil. We have to be prepared to draw a line in the sand determining what we – as a community – will and will not accept.
Madam President, our community is under siege because we didn’t want to get involved – but it is past time to get involved.
The job of parenting is not an easy one and it is not a job that parents or society should take lightly. Parenting is also not a job that should be done in isolation. There is a role for Government to play, there is a role for society in general to play and there is a role for churches and religion to play.
Government has many agencies to assist parents. A cursory review of the Blue Pages in the telephone directory sets out what Government programmes exist to help families.
Madam President, of course, there is more that can be done – Bermuda is too small not to have all our citizens playing their full role in society.
In the interim, however, Madam President, I urge all the residents of this Country to continue to stand firm in the face of this seemingly endless cycle of gun violence. Be assured that the Bermuda Police Service is resolute in wrestling back our communities “one street at a time” to quote the new Commissioner. Let me again record at this juncture our thanks to all those citizens who have so far come forward and provided information.
Madam President, while we have seen some daunting days, I cannot stress enough that the public’s cooperation is needed now more than ever. These incidents have witnesses and we need those individuals to come forward and provide whatever information they know to the Police.
Let me end by thanking the members of the Bermuda Police Service for their exemplary response to the violence that has been ricocheting through our community. I would also like to thank the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service who have also been on the frontline in this fight.
Madam President, may I end by appealing for any witnesses or persons with any information about any of these incidents to contact investigators at 292-0011 or via the confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda Hotline at 800-8477. Anonymous tips can also be sent via the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website at www.crimestoppers.bm
The video below shows Sergeant Michael Thomas and PC Brian MacNab demonstrating the model that Bermuda officers will be carrying.
Considered controversial in some circles, groups have spoken out against the use of tasers including the United Nations Committee against Torture, NAACP, and Amnesty International.
In 2004, CBS said:
Today, by the count of CBS News, 70 people have died after being TASERed, including 10 in August alone.
Human rights organization Amnesty International said:
The number of people who died after being struck by Tasers in the USA reached 334 between 2001 and August 2008.
Amnesty International’s study – which includes information from 98 autopsies – found that 90% of those who died after being struck with a Taser were unarmed and many did not appear to present a serious threat
References:
The video below shows an American news reporter being tasered:
The exact model the Bermuda Police will be using is X26, which the manufacturers website describes as:
The replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy two small probes that are attached to the TASER X26 by insulated conductive wires with a maximum length of 35 feet (10.6 meters).
The TASER X26 transmits electrical pulses through the wires and into the body affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system.
The energy can penetrate up to two cumulative inches of clothing, or one inch per probe.
Below follows Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva’s full statement:
he Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is announcing the introduction of TASER as a less-lethal use of force option in the list of approved defensive weapons being carried by police officers.
“TASER” is the manufacturer’s name for an Electronic Control Device (ECD) that is widely used by law enforcement agencies across the world as a less-lethal option of defensive force. The TASER works by firing two small, dart-like electrodes at its target using nitrogen charges when the trigger is pulled. The electrodes are pointed to penetrate clothing and barbed to prevent removal once they are in place, and they remain attached to the main unit by conductive wire. The TASER releases a 5 second burst of electric charge at about 2,000 volts. The charge causes Neuromuscular Incapacitation by stimulating the sensory and motor nerves to the point where they are temporarily paralysed.
In simpler terms, the subject is unable to control major muscle movement and cannot move whenever the electric charge is being applied. TASER is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects with a high level of pain tolerance. This makes the device safer and more effective than the use of Captor incapacitant spray or a strike from the ASP baton, both of which require the subject to comply with the sensation of pain.
The device has built-in accountability measures to determine when and by whom it was deployed, and it is fitted with a camera that records the entire incident from the moment the device is drawn by the officer.
The most recent US report on Use of Force, available on the company’s website, paints a very clear picture on the effectiveness of the device, compared to other Use of Force options:
Discharge of firearms: 500 deaths & 500 serious injuries per 1000
Baton strikes: 780 serious injuries per 1000
Use of TASER: 2 serious injuries per 1000In nearly every police agency that has introduced the device significant reductions have been reported in the number of injuries sustained by police officers, as well as by persons being arrested. In a 2009 study in the UK, TASER devices were drawn over 600 times, but only fired 93 times: meaning that 85% of the time the mere presentation of the weapon was enough to gain compliance from the subject.
We have examined significant research conducted in the US, Canada and the UK before taking the decision to introduce TASER. The BPS is satisfied, based on all the research, that the TASER device is safe. I believe we are introducing it at the appropriate time, and that it is proportionate to the risks that exist on the street. The overriding principle of police operations is the protection of life – and that even includes violent subjects that would try to attack us. TASER puts another tool on the police officer’s belt and gives him or her another option to consider before having to use a firearm against a threat.
Given the increase in armed operations that we are conducting, I am ensuring that we take all steps possible to make the use of police firearms a last resort, and only when it is absolutely necessary. I believe the introduction of the TASER device could potentially save the life of a person who might otherwise force a firearms confrontation with an armed police officer.
The purchase and training of the device has been delivered at a cost of about $150K. The funds were made available from the 2009/10 budget after approval to purchase was granted by Minister Burch, and approval to carry the device was granted by His Excellency the Governor following requests from the BPS last year.
The TASER will be out on patrol this week, and will be carried by all firearms officers. Additional officers will be issued with the device depending on the nature of their duties, starting with the Police Support Unit. That translates to about 1 officer in 3 on patrol will be armed with TASER. We will be monitoring the use and effectiveness of the device regularly to determine whether wider distribution is required.
