Further Detail on the Report Topic

Current STO Cadre

Police Scotland currently has 1372 STOs. A full breakdown of STO numbers per division can be found at APPENDIX A.

Since the approval of the new STO operating model, 953 new STOs have been trained and deployed. Due to officers moving posts and other factors, 358 STOs have withdrawn from the specialism. Plans are in place to train a further 600 STOs in the financial year 2023/24. A Taser Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment has been produced.

STOs now deploy from 111 response hubs across Scotland. The location of these hubs can be found at APPENDIX B. A further 13 hubs are due to be installed in financial year 2023/24.

STO Deployment Data

From their introduction in June 2018, STOs have been deployed to 6708 incidents. This has resulted in 1965 uses (749 draws, 939 aimed/red dot and 232 discharges of the device). This is an 11.8% discharge rate per use.  For clarity purposes, the term ‘use’ refers to draw, pointed, red-dot and actual discharge.

In total, 38.1% of overall uses are “passive” uses. This is when the device has been drawn as a precaution but never aimed at a subject.

In terms of injuries, 15 injuries have been sustained by subjects from 232 Taser discharges. This is a 6.5% injury rate. These injuries involved superficial cuts and grazing and fractures to areas including a rib and two elbows due to unsupported falls. There have been no Taser discharges which have caused heart failure or other cardiac issues to any persons.

Officer Safety

Since the introduction of STOs, eight Officers have sustained an injury when Taser has been discharged. This is a 3.4% injury rate. This is significantly lower than when other tactical options such as baton/PAVA or physical restraint are used.

Communications and Engagement

To support the uplift and roll out, a local and national Communications and Engagement plan was implemented. Local Policing Commanders engage with scrutiny committees and provide further detail as required around the impact of this model in their local communities. Nationally, a number of engagement and information sessions have been delivered with a number of interested parties and advocacy groups resulting in excellent feedback, which has further informed our EqHRIA.

As a result of these engagement sessions, a number of Advocacy groups agreed to take part in a National Taser Advisory Group (NTAG) where they will review, advise and provide valuable oversight and interaction with Police Scotland and our use of Taser.

The key function of the Group is to act as a ‘critical friend’ providing   advice on all aspects of Taser use by Police Scotland with regard to its impact across the wider community wellbeing and how any         potential impact may be mitigated.

To date, a number of meetings of the NTAG have taken place which has proved valuable in informing the STO EqHRIA and provided extremely useful feedback to better inform policies and procedures and training.

Taser use on persons under 18

Since the introduction of Taser into Police Scotland in 2018 the device has been used (drawn or pointed) on 101 occasions and discharged on 8 occasions against those under the age of 18 years. It should be noted that although the device has been used 109 times (101 uses and 8 discharges) on persons under 18, 42 (39%) of these uses were draws only, where the device was not pointed at the child. All 8 of these discharges were reported to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).  Six of these reports resulted as ‘non- investigation’ as the use of the device was deemed by PIRC to be appropriate and proportionate.

The other 2 discharge referrals (one involving an 11 year old and one involving a 15 year old) are currently being investigated by PIRC.

Taser use on under 18’s accounts for 5.3% of all uses and 3.4% of all discharges. Taser use on persons aged 18+ years’ accounts for 94.7% of all uses and 96.6% of all discharges.

Taser use on children in financial year 2022/2023 has increased by 7 uses (17% increase) compared to previous financial year. In comparison for the same period, Taser use on persons aged 18-30 years has increased by 84 uses (36% increase). Taser use on persons aged 31-64 years has increased by 142 uses (40% increase) and Taser use on those aged 65+ has increased by 6 uses (43% increase).

Police Scotland has no specific policy on the use of Taser involving children under the age of 18 years. Any use of Taser must meet Police Scotland’s criteria for the use of force in that it must be proportionate, legal, accountable, absolutely necessary and ethical. Each use is assessed on the particular circumstances of the incident and threat being faced by the officer or public. It would be impossible during a violent and volatile situation where life could be at risk, for officers to distinguish between someone who is, for example, 16 or 18 years of age. It is vital that the threat and risk posed is the primary consideration.

The Taser X2 has been subject of rigorous independent medical testing. It is acknowledged that there is an increased risk to children and person’s with a smaller stature and these increased risks are thoroughly

The National Taser Unit has engaged with Police Scotland’s Children & Young People Strategy Unit which has resulted in consultation with the Children’s and Young Peoples Centre for Justice (CYPCJ) who work for improvement in youth justice. A representative of the CYPCJ sits on the NTAG.