TASER policy and use

Louisa Herbs made this Freedom of Information request to Dyfed Powys Police

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From: Louisa Herbs

23 December 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

For each of the years 2005 - 2008 inclusive please provide the
following information:

1. How many officers were issued with TASERS in this authority?

2. How many deployments (display, "sparking" or shock) were there?
- please count each repeat deployment as a new deployment for these
purposes and show figures for each display, "sparking" or shock
separately.

3. How many civilians have been shot with TASERS in this authority?

4. How many civilians have received repeat shocks, either from the
same officer or his colleagues. What is the maximum number of
repeat shocks that has been used against a civilian?

5. What is the standard discharge cycle?

6. How many times has this been manually prolonged by officers?

7. What is the maximum discharge period that has been used against
a civilian?

8. How many times have TASERS been used in situations other than
where the alternative would be use of deadly force. Examples would
include: 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?

9. How many times have TASERS been 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?

10.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?

11. Please provide statistics on TASER use 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?

12. In respect of 3 above, how many of these civilians received
treatment following the use of the TASER from medical staff -
either paramedics at the scene or were transferred to hospital?

13. Amnesty International recommend that Police authorities should
download data recorded by officers' TASERs after every incident in
which they are used. A summary of this data should be included in
all use of force reports. Each display, "sparking" or shock
administered by a TASER should be reported in use of force reports,
as well as whether the TASER was used in dart-firing or stun gun
mode and the reasons why a TASER was used. The number of
trigger-pulls and duration of the shock should be reported in each
instance, as well as the age, race and gender of each person who is
shocked. Each department should provide a detailed break-down of
its TASER use in regular, public reports. How much of this
recording does Dyfed-Powys undertake?

14. Please provide a copy of this authority's policy on TASER
deployment

Yours faithfully,

Louisa Herbs

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From: Louisa Herbs

24 December 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

I should clarify that the examples given in question 8 are intended
to be examples of situations in which deadly force would otherwise
have been used, so I am looking for TASER use in situations other
than those described.

I hope that's clear as it seemed to me upon re-reading that there
was some potential for misunderstanding!

Yours sincerely,

Louisa Herbs

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From: FOI
Dyfed Powys Police

6 January 2009

Attachment Information Disclosure.pdf
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Attachment Appeal Process.pdf
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Dear Ms Herbs,

Reference No: 762/2008

Thank you for your request for information dated 23 December 2008 and
received by the Freedom of Information Unit on 24 December, 2008
concerning details re: the use of TASER. This request will be dealt with
under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Your request will now be considered and we aim to provide a response
within the statutory timescale of 20 working days i. e. 23 January 2009 as
defined by the Act, subject to the information not being exempt or
containing a reference to a third party. In some circumstances Dyfed Powys
Police 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.

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of the
information you request. If this is the case you will be informed and the 20
working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment from you. If
you choose not to make a payment then your request will remain unanswered.

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.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
Dyfed Powys Police.

Yours sincerely

Cath Butler

Cath Butler

Swyddog Gweinyddol/Administrative Officer

Uned Rhyddid Gwybodaeth/Freedom of Information Unit

Pencadlys yr Heddlu/Police Headquarters

Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen

Ffon/Tel: 0845 330 2000 est/ext: 23586

Llinell Uniongyrchol/Direct Line: 01267 226596

[1][Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Dyfed Powys Police provides you the right to request a re-examination of your
case under its review procedure. If you decide to request such a review and
having followed the Constabulary's full process you are still dissatisfied, then
you have the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner who
will give it consideration.

References

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From: FOI
Dyfed Powys Police

26 January 2009

Attachment Information Disclosure.pdf
10K Download View as HTML

Attachment Appeal Process.pdf
21K Download View as HTML

Dear Ms Herbs,

Reference No: 762/2008

I write in connection with your request for information dated 23 December
2008 received on 24 December 2008, concerning details re: TASER.

I regret to inform you that Dyfed Powys Police has not been able to
complete its response to your request by the date originally stated due to
the high volume of requests currently being processed.

I now advise you that the amended date for a response is 20 March 2009.
I can assure you that every effort will be made to ensure an appropriate
response will be made within this new timescale.

May I apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you wish to discuss this
delay please contact me.

Thank you for your interest in Dyfed Powys Police.

Yours sincerely

Cath Butler

Cath Butler

Swyddog Gweinyddol/Administrative Officer

Uned Rhyddid Gwybodaeth/Freedom of Information Unit

Pencadlys yr Heddlu/Police Headquarters

Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen

Ffon/Tel: 0845 330 2000 est/ext: 23586

Llinell Uniongyrchol/Direct Line: 01267 226596

[1][Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Dyfed Powys Police provides you the right to request a re-examination of your
case under its review procedure (copy enclosed). If you decide to request such a
review and having followed the Force's full process you are still dissatisfied,
then you have the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner
who will give it consideration.

References

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1. mailto:[Dyfed Powys Police request email]

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From: FOI
Dyfed Powys Police

20 March 2009

Attachment Appeal Process English.pdf
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Attachment Information Disclosure.pdf
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Dear Ms Herbs,

Reference No: 762/2009

I write in connection with your request for information.

I regret to inform you that Dyfed Powys Police has not been able to
complete its response to your request by the date originally stated due to
the high volume of requests currently being processed. Also due to this
we are currently not in a position to provide you with a completion date
for your request.

May I apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you wish to discuss this
delay please contact me.

Thank you for your interest in Dyfed Powys Police.

Yours sincerely

Cath Butler

Cath Butler

Swyddog Gweinyddol/Administrative Officer

Uned Rhyddid Gwybodaeth/Freedom of Information Unit

Pencadlys yr Heddlu/Police Headquarters

Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen

Ffon/Tel: 0845 330 2000 est/ext: 23586

Llinell Uniongyrchol/Direct Line: 01267 226596

[1][Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Dyfed Powys Police provides you the right to request a re-examination of your
case under its review procedure (copy enclosed). If you decide to request such a
review and having followed the Force's full process you are still dissatisfied,
then you have the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner
who will give it consideration.

References

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1. mailto:[Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Link to this

From: FOI
Dyfed Powys Police

7 October 2009

Attachment Appeal Process.080709.pdf
68K Download View as HTML

Dear Ms Herbs,

I refer to your Freedom of Information request of the 23rd December 2008
regarding TASER policy and use in Dyfed Powys Police.

We last contacted you on the 20th March 2009 when we advised you that, due
to the volume of requests and staffing issues, we were unable to give you
a completion date, for which we apologise again.

We are now in a position to work through the backlog of requests, of which
yours is one. However, as over 9 months have elapsed since you made your
request I am now writing to enquire if you still wish us to proceed with
your request?

Your prompt reply would be appreciated.

Gary Lloyd-Coxhead

Gary Lloyd-Coxhead

Swyddog Rhyddid Gwybodaeth - Freedom of Information Officer

Uned Rhyddid Gwybodaeth - Freedom of Information Unit

Pencadlys Heddlu - Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters

Caerfyrddin - Carmarthen

Ffon/Tel: 0845 330 2000 est/ext 23442

Uniongyrchol/Direct Line : 01267 226596

e-bost/e-mail - [Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Dyfed Powys Police provides you the right to request a re-examination of your
case under its review procedure (copy enclosed). If you decide to request such a
review and having followed the Force's full process you are still dissatisfied,
then you have the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner
who will give it consideration.

Link to this

From: FOI
Dyfed Powys Police

16 October 2009

Dear Ms Herbs,

Further to our e-mail of the 7^th October 2009 to which we have not
received a reply.

FOI REF: 762/2008

On 23^rd December 2008 you submitted an FOI request to Dyfed-Powys Police
for information regarding Taser policy.

First and foremost may I, on behalf of Dyfed-Powys Police, apologise
unreservedly for the non completion to date of your request. In
mitigation, which I appreciate is no excuse, the reasons for the delay
have been due to the volume of requests received, the workload associated
with the requests and the distinct lack of resources to deal with those
issues. However in an effort to eradicate the situation it has been
decided to contact requestors who have not yet received a response to
their original request, with a view to establishing whether or not they
still require Dyfed-Powys Police to continue processing their request.
Naturally if the requestor requires the continued processing of their
request an e-mail to that effect would be appreciated and every effort
will be made to complete that request A.S.A.P. However should you no
longer require the information and would like to withdraw your request
again an e-mail to that effect would be appreciated.

If we do not receive any response regarding this matter from you within 28
days of the date of this correspondence we will assume you no longer
require the processing of your request and will close the request
accordingly.

Once again I can only apologise for the unprecedented demand resulting in
severe delay. Furthermore, steps are being taken to resolve the situation.
Alternatively if you would like to discuss the matter please do not
hesitate to contact me on the telephone number listed below.

Yours Sincerely

Gary Lloyd-Coxhead

Gary Lloyd-Coxhead

Swyddog Rhyddid Gwybodaeth - Freedom of Information Officer

Uned Rhyddid Gwybodaeth - Freedom of Information Unit

Pencadlys Heddlu - Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters

Caerfyrddin - Carmarthen

Ffon/Tel: 0845 330 2000 est/ext 23442

Uniongyrchol/Direct Line : 01267 226596

e-bost/e-mail - [Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Dyfed Powys Police provides you the right to request a re-examination of your
case under its review procedure (copy enclosed). If you decide to request such a
review and having followed the Force's full process you are still dissatisfied,
then you have the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner
who will give it consideration.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: FOI
Sent: 07 October 2009 11:54
To: 'Louisa Herbs'
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - TASER policy and use

Dear Ms Herbs,

I refer to your Freedom of Information request of the 23rd December 2008
regarding TASER policy and use in Dyfed Powys Police.

We last contacted you on the 20th March 2009 when we advised you that, due
to the volume of requests and staffing issues, we were unable to give you
a completion date, for which we apologise again.

We are now in a position to work through the backlog of requests, of which
yours is one. However, as over 9 months have elapsed since you made your
request I am now writing to enquire if you still wish us to proceed with
your request?

Your prompt reply would be appreciated.

Gary Lloyd-Coxhead

Gary Lloyd-Coxhead

Swyddog Rhyddid Gwybodaeth - Freedom of Information Officer

Uned Rhyddid Gwybodaeth - Freedom of Information Unit

Pencadlys Heddlu - Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters

Caerfyrddin - Carmarthen

Ffon/Tel: 0845 330 2000 est/ext 23442

Uniongyrchol/Direct Line : 01267 226596

e-bost/e-mail - [Dyfed Powys Police request email]

Dyfed Powys Police provides you the right to request a re-examination of your
case under its review procedure (copy enclosed). If you decide to request such a
review and having followed the Force's full process you are still dissatisfied,
then you have the right to direct your comments to the Information Commissioner
who will give it consideration.

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