Memorandum submitted by Kevin Coles
BACKGROUND
1. The writer is the Managing Director of Pro-Tect
Systems Ltd, the company which from 27 September 2001 until 28
September 2010 were the sole importers and distributors of Taser
weapons and ammunition within the United Kingdom. It was involved
as well in the service and maintenance of weapons and in armourer
training. The company held various permissions under section 5
of the Firearms Act 1968 as amended which permissions were intended
to cover the business activities relating to Taser.
2. Supply was originally to the police forces
in the United Kingdom but later extended to HM Prison Service
and the Ministry of Defence. In addition various specialist bodies
such as the Home Office Scientific Development Branch were on
occasions recipients of specific supply. The company staff included
specialist armourers who worked in contact with specific trained
police officers in all forces. These officers were the link, when,
amongst other aspects, Tasers or ammunition were needed.
3. On 28 September 2010, the Secretary of State
indicated to the company that she had decided not to renew its
authority under section 5. She granted a short term authority
expiring on 31 December 2010 in order to allow the company lawfully
to dispose of its remaining stock.
4. As a result of that decision, importation
of Taser products has ceased.
REQUEST FOR
EVIDENCE
5. By letter of 3 November 2010, the Chairman
of the Committee wrote to the company inviting a representative
to give oral evidence. But for his untimely death, Mr Peter Boatman,
the Director with specific expertise in Taser operation would
have been the obvious person to have assisted the committee. The
writer who was the founder of the company is thought to be best
placed to take his place. Indeed, the letter from the committee
chairman was addressed to him personally.
6. It is understood that, difficulties in acquiring
new supplies of Taser guns having come to the attention of the
committee, the purpose of oral evidence is to speak about the
supply of Taser guns and to assist the committee in its understanding.
The writer would make the point that it may be more likely that
it is the Taser cartridges which are in short supply such stock
having been exhausted in early September 2010.
7. Taser weapons in their most modern form provide
short term incapacity to a subject from distance. They will, thus,
allow police officers to control an individual thought to be dangerous
either to himself or others whilst giving the officer the protection
of being out of physical reach of the subject. They have been
used by trained officers and supplies both of live and training
ammunition are required both to train and provide for continuing
training where appropriate. Because of the decision not to renew
the necessary permission, that supply has stopped as the importation
of cartridges is now prohibited.
8. The company is not able to provide the committee
with information of helpful current stock levels in individual
forces. Whilst figures exist which show sales, the Home Office
itself purchased 114,400 rounds of ammunition in or about March
2009 and it is understood that these were distributed to various
forces. It is suggested that it is inevitable that stocks are
reducing if training is continuing but individual detail is not
known. Disposal of the company's own holding of both weapons and
ammunition has not yet taken place. Although a replacement company
has been nominated by Taser Inc with the intention that it carries
out the functions which until now have been the province of Pro-Tect,
that company has not at the time of this document received the
necessary section 5 permission which is required for trade.
It is the intention of Pro-Tect to part with its existing stock
to that company if permission is given by the Secretary of State.
QUALIFICATION
9. This document is intended to provide a very
short outline of the present obvious difficulty which must exist
because of the company's inability any longer properly to trade.
The committee will know that Taser was supplied to Northumbria
Constabulary at the time of the well publicised shootings in July
2010. The document does not comment on the decision of the Secretary
of State nor seek to consider that supply. The committee will
know that the gunman committed suicide. The writer understands
from press reports that the inquest has been opened and adjourned.
The coroner (according to reports) was informed by a senior investigator
from the Independent Police Complaints Commission that Taser rounds
were discharged at the gun man in what was understood to be an
effort to prevent the gunman taking his own life. Clearly this
aspect is still the subject of enquiry and because of that fact
and because the committee seek understanding of the present supply
situation, it is not thought to be appropriate to make further
comment. It is hoped respectfully that the committee understands
and accepts that approach.
December 2010
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