Detailed Taser Use Statistics

Dear Sir or Madam,

I write with regards to the use of electrocution devices such as
the Taser.

I have read the ACPO Ltd's document called 'ACPO taser operational
guidance'. Appendix H contains a sheet stating 'THIS FORM MUST BE
COMPLETED ON EACH OCCASION WHERE THE TASER IS USED'. It also states
a copy must be sent to 'Force Liason Officer [of ACPO Ltd]' for
onward transmission to 'Police Use of Firearms Secretariat' at ACPO
Ltd.

Appendix H also collects data as to how the Taser has been used.
For example, it collects data such as where the two electrocution
barb projectiles were shot on the body and whether the victim was
disabled etc.

I have also read data on your website concerning taser use. In
particular, the statistics published on the 17th August 2009 (your
ref. CFP\7\10\005\016\025\03\001\01- PT
TASER report 19mth 11/3/9 (7316) ).

There seems a gulf between the data you collect and the data you
publish.

Questions

1. The data set you publish on Taser use is very basic. It only
contains accumulative totals of Taser usage. I would like to know,
for example, how many children were electrocuted by a given force
in March 08. Or how Taser use has risen in a given force. Do you
have a dataset that I can interrogate to find this, and similar
answers.

2. Data is collected by police forces as to where electrocution
barbs are shot into a victim's body. I found a research report on
your site evaluating the TaserCam (your reference: Publication No.
03/08). In this report, in Appendix C, there is a diagram of the
accuracy of the Taser when shot by police officers. It is clear
many of the electrocution barbs have missed the intended target and
shot the head and groin of the target. I would be interested in
receiving information as to the accuracy of the Taser when shot by
the police.

3. How is the report into taser use (such as the one mentioned
above published 17th Aug) compiled. How do you collect the data and
who sends it to the Home Office?

Yours faithfully,

HMP Britain

Dear Sir or Madam,

You collect much more data than you publish. I am keen to obtain
this data which is not published but is collected. Therefore, I
respectfully request an internal review.

Yours faithfully,

HMP Britain

Dear Sir or Madam,

Would you please confirm my request for an internal enquiry.

Your reference: CR12997

Yours faithfully,

HMP Britain