ACPO Taser Trial

Dear Ms Herbs ,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008120006156
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 24 December 2008. I note you
seek access to the following information:

"1.Please tell me, out of those 3351 deployments how many times were
TASERS been used in situations OTHER than where the alternative would
be use of deadly force. i.e. in situations that were NOT armed stand-offs,
instances in which a police officer faces a life-threatening attack or
injury, or threat of attack with a deadly weapon, or where the target
presents an immediate threat of death or serious injury to him/herself
or others?
2. In respect of all uses deemed to be situations in which deadly force
would otherwise have been used, please provide a breakdown of the
weapons with which the suspects were armed.
3. Out of the 3351 deployments, how many times were TASERS used for
arguing or talking back, being discourteous, refusing to obey an
order, resisting arrest or fleeing a minor crime scene, where the
civilian does NOT pose an immediate threat of death or serious injury
that cannot be controlled through less extreme measures?
4.Out of the 3351 total deployments, how many times has the stun gun
function been used to force a person to comply with an order given by
an officer where there is no immediate threat to the life or safety of the
officer or others?
5. Please provide statistics on TASER use during the trial against:
pregnant women; the elderly; children; emotionally disturbed persons
or people who are mentally or physically disabled; people in vulnerable
positions where there is a risk of serious secondary injury (e.g. in
dangerously elevated positions, or near flammable substances); people
under the influence of drugs? "

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You will receive a response within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act, subject to
the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third
party. In some circumstances the MPS may be unable to achieve this
deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised
time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact K.Simmons via the e-mail address at the top of this letter,
quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

K.Simmons
Policy and Support Officer
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again –

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

show quoted sections

Dear Ms Herbs ,

Freedom of Information Act Request Reference No: 2008120006156
I write in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 24 December 2008. I
note you seek access to the following information:

"1.Please tell me, out of those 3351 deployments how many times were
TASERS been used in situations OTHER than where the alternative would be
use of deadly force. i.e. in situations that were NOT armed stand-offs,
instances in which a police officer faces a life-threatening attack or
injury, or threat of attack with a deadly weapon, or where the target
presents an immediate threat of death or serious injury to him/herself or
others?
2. In respect of all uses deemed to be situations in which deadly force
would otherwise have been used, please provide a breakdown of the weapons
with which the suspects were armed.
3. Out of the 3351 deployments, how many times were TASERS used for
arguing or talking back, being discourteous, refusing to obey an order,
resisting arrest or fleeing a minor crime scene, where the civilian does
NOT pose an immediate threat of death or serious injury that cannot be
controlled through less extreme measures?
4.Out of the 3351 total deployments, how many times has the stun gun
function been used to force a person to comply with an order given by
an officer where there is no immediate threat to the life or safety of
the officer or others?
5. Please provide statistics on TASER use during the trial against:
pregnant women; the elderly; children; emotionally disturbed persons
or people who are mentally or physically disabled; people in vulnerable
positions where there is a risk of serious secondary injury (e.g. in
dangerously elevated positions, or near flammable substances); people
under the influence of drugs? "

This is to inform you that I cannot identify any specific records /
documents that will satisfy your request based on the details you have
provided. To enable the MPS to meet your request could you please provide
this office with further information. I provide some guidance that may
assist you more clearly describe the information you require:

The Home Office records the use of Tasers nationally in the Home Office
Taser Trial Evaluation. The Metropolitan Police will not hold the
majority of the information you are requesting. Do you wish to get
national figures or figures relating to the Metropolitan Police area only?

After receiving your reply, your request will then be considered and you
will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of
20 working days, subject to the information not being exempt or containing
a reference to a third party.

However, if the requested additional information has not been received by
29 March 2009, I will assume you no longer wish to proceed with this
request and will treat it as withdrawn.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact Kevin Simmons at the e-mail address above, quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely,

Kevin Simmons
Policy and Support Officer
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again ***

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

show quoted sections