Archive

The family of Derry teenager, Paul Whitters (15), killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC more than 35 years ago have issued a new appeal for witnesses.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jacqui Smith): Each day police officers put themselves in danger to protect the public, so I am committed to providing the police with the tools they tell me they need to fight crime and keep the public and themselves safe. I am also proud that we have...

TASER has been available to all Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) since September 2004 as a less lethal alternative for use in situations where a firearms authority has been granted in accordance with criteria laid down in the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Manual of Guidance on...

On 20th July 2007, the Home Secretary approved a one year trial by ten police forces of the use of M26 and X26 Tasers by Specially Trained Units (STUs) and Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) at incidents where firearms authority had not been granted. 2. The trial, which commenced on 1st September...

Sir Hugh Orde the PSNI Chief Constable has ignored both the advisors and the Board itself - see BBC story below.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has stated today that until the process of an Equality Impact Assessment and compliance with human rights standards are satisfactorily completed, the Commission remains opposed to the introduction of TASERs in Northern Ireland even as a pilot.

Lives could be lost if police officers in Northern Ireland are issued with 50,000-volt Taser guns, it was claimed today. Politicians and human rights campaigners have urged the Policing Board to extend the period of public consultation on the controversial move from two to 12 weeks. Last year 61...

The Derry based Pat Finucane Centre has expressed its opposition to plans to arm PSNI officers with Tasers. A spokesperson for the PFC said this afternoon, "We have invited by the Policing Board to make submissions on the possible introduction of the controversial Taser weapon. The closing date for...

This document represents the Police service of Northern Ireland's guidance in respect of the issue, deployment and use of Atttenuating Energy Projectiles, Impact Rounds in situations of serious public disorder. The guidance reflects National ACPO guidelines and takes cognisance of the provisions of...

Managing conflict and responding to violence are core police functions. Police response is underpinned by Human Rights and in particular the obligation under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to uphold the right to life. 1.2 This guidance is intended to inform the storage...

Amnesty International welcomes this opportunity to respond to the Policing Board's consultation on the introduction of tasers to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). However, as we have already made clear in public statements, a consultation period of just over two weeks is utterly...

The purpose of this General Order is to outline the policy of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to the issue and use of CS Incapacitant Spray (CSIS). (2) Article 4 of the Code of Ethics for The Police Service of Northern Ireland states the standard of conduct and practice required...

Following publication of the Patton Report a Steering Group was set up by the NIO to research a less lethal alternative to plastic bullets and make recommendations on equipment for public order policing. The Steering Group failed to find an alternative and has also failed to consult as widely as...

Abstract – Recent years have seen the introduction of a wide range of weapons for police forces around the world intended to minimise injuries incurred in officer-public encounters. In 1996, police forces in England and Wales began trials of CS incapacitant sprays. This article reviews the claims...

The Derry based Pat Finucane Centre has accused members of the Policing Board of 'rubber stamping' the decision to approve use of CS Spray by the PSNI. The decision was made at the monthly meeting of the Board in February. Our key concerns are: Board members who had publicly expressed concern then...