Police use of Tasers - Home Affairs Committee Contents


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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