Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org

azzuri · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 3792

From BBC Scotland website - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4259670.stm

Scotland's largest police force has become the first in the country to introduce the Taser stun gun.
Strathclyde Police began issuing the weapon, which delivers a 50,000-volt electric shock, to specially-trained firearms officers from Monday.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said the decision to introduce Tasers followed trials in England.

The guns use nitrogen cartridges to fire two barbs which trail copper cable back to the weapon.

'Less lethal' option

The barb delivers a five-second 50,000-volt charge that effectively disables and temporarily incapacitates suspects, to enable officers to make a safe arrest.

The majority of police forces throughout the UK are in the process of deploying Tasers as a less lethal option, where the use of firearms has been authorised.

Scotland's seven other police forces have still to set dates for the weapon to be deployed to their officers. Mr Learmonth said "careful consideration" was given to introducing the Taser after it was trialled in England two years ago.

"The trials were independently evaluated and the report on the operational trials concluded that the use of Taser helped secure a positive outcome to an incident, minimising the potential need for officers to deploy other, possibly more lethal technologies," he added.

"Whilst Taser will always be deployed alongside conventional firearms and should not be seen as a replacement for such weapons, Taser will provide another less lethal option which may assist in the safe resolution of firearms incidents without recourse to more lethal force."

Mr Learmouth said police had discussed the use of Taser guns with medical experts to ensure that "immediate and effective support" was provided to anyone shot by an officer using a stun gun.

Michelle Lowe, of Amnesty International, said: "In America and Canada, 130 people have died after being 'Tasered' so what we are calling for is extreme caution in their use and an independent rigorous inquiry into the medical impact of the use of Tasers."

Oh dear - not in favour of this at all. This was no doubt released now due to the report about Scotland being the most violent developed nation which we've already established was a poorly run poll. 130 people have DIED using these taser things!

NEXT UP for Scotland's Police - guns! yeehaa! Rolling Eyes

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"Every single person on this planet is unique. Just like everyone else..." - Random Guy in Edinburgh Pub

Possibly the funniest site in the world, 'The Daily Mash' - http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:

I wish the government would be more proactive instead of reactive when tackling crime.

The underlying causes of crime need to be addressed, such as poverty etc. If these issues were addressed, this would reduce crime more drastically than any deterent is going to.

trueblue · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:30 pm Post subject:

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

as usual totally unaware of the actual facts about crime true blue well done mate Laughing

where will the funds come to pay for these prisons?
also what will that ethos do to combat the actual roots of crime?
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"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP

trueblue · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:31 pm Post subject:

when a criminal is in jail he cannot commit crime, true or false?
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**sig. edited by admin

azzuri · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 3792

false -

he CAN -

many continue to smuggle illegal drugs into the prison. many continue to take said illegal drugs. As far as I am concerned - this is criminal activity. Many assaults/murders also take place within prisons - which is also illegal activity.

Couple this with the fact that it is almost like 'Criminal University' in jail these days and it shows you are completely wide of the mark. Prevention is definitely better than cure.
_________________
"Every single person on this planet is unique. Just like everyone else..." - Random Guy in Edinburgh Pub

Possibly the funniest site in the world, 'The Daily Mash' - http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

also the fact is that those who have come from families with a criminal backgound are more likely to offend themselves, im not suggesting that this is in the genes in anyway more that its to do with a continuation of factors before anyone asks!, therefore you are simply keeping the conveyor belt of crime going and paying the price of there imprisonment in the process.
_________________
"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP