‘If you talk to the average police officer on the ground they will say: “We want all to be issued with Taser for our own protection, and to protect the public”,’ said Simon Chesterman, deputy chief constable of West Mercia Police.
Tag: Government & State
John Pilger: The truth about the Iraq bloodbath can’t be covered up by the media indefinitely
The BBC’s Today programme is enjoying high ratings, and the Mail and Telegraph are, as usual, attacking the corporation as leftwing. Last month a single edition of the Radio 4 show was edited by the artist and musician PJ Harvey. What happened was illuminating.
Street triage team to tackle mental health emergencies
A scheme has started to ensure people with mental health issues in the West Midlands are kept out of custody and receive the right treatment. The Street Triage scheme will see mental health nurses and paramedics join police on callouts where people need immediate mental health support.
Parliament debate on black deaths in custody to take place
INQUEST’s casework has shown that a disproportionate number of those who die in all forms of detention or following contact with the police following the use of force or serious neglect are from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. INQUEST is concerned that institutional racism has been a contributory factor.
Tippa Naphtali speaks out: Fury as ‘lethal’ Taser use on children rises
A furious row has broken out over the use of police stun guns on children. Official guidelines warn of potentially fatal consequences if youths are hit by the 50,000-volt Taser devices. But despite this, their use in confrontations with under-18s has rocketed by 1,000% over five years.
High Court rules on investigations of psychiatric deaths
The High Court has handed down judgment today on whether the UK should create a system for independently investigating the deaths of detained psychiatric patients. Lord Justice Aiken and Mr Justice Mitting found that such a system was not required under the current law but raised the possibility that the UK may wish to create such a system on grounds of public policy.
Texas conducts 500th execution since 1982
Texas marked a solemn moment in criminal justice Wednesday evening, executing its 500th inmate since it resumed carrying out capital punishment in 1982. Kimberly McCarthy, who was put to death for the murder of her 71-year-old neighbor, was also the first woman executed in the U.S. in nearly three years.
Mental health: Nurses to accompany police patrols
Mental health nurses are to go on patrol with police officers in new pilot schemes across England to improve responses to emergencies. Minister, Norman Lamb, announced the scheme today at the Black Mental Health UK Conference.
