FURTHER DETAIL ON THE REPORT TOPIC

Current STO Cadre 

Police Scotland currently has 2031 STOs. A full breakdown of STO numbers per division can be found at APPENDIX A.  

Due to promotions and post moves etc, 650 STOs have withdrawn from the specialism since June 2018.

STOs now deploy from 147 response hubs across Scotland. The location of these hubs can be found at APPENDIX B. One further hub is due to be installed during the financial year 2025/26 in Oakley, Fife.

STO Deployment Data 

From their introduction in June 2018, STOs have deployed at 13210 incidents. This has resulted in 3832 uses (1363 draws, 1947 aimed/laser dot challenge, 78 Arced and 444 discharges of the device). This is an 11.6% discharge rate per use.  For clarity purposes, the term ‘use’ refers to draw, pointed, laser dot challenge, arced and actual discharge. 

In total, 35.6% 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, 24 injuries have been sustained by subjects as a direct result from 444 Taser discharges. This is a 5.4% injury rate. These injuries involved superficial cuts, 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 person.

Officer Safety 

Since the introduction of STOs, 12 Officers have sustained an injury during a Taser discharge. This is a 2.7% injury rate. This is significantly lower than when other tactical options such as baton/PAVA or physical restraint are used. Taser has a higher effectiveness rate than baton/PAVA.

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, engagement and information sessions were delivered with a number of interested parties and advocacy groups resulting in excellent feedback, which has further informed our EqHRIA. The National Taser Unit are available to deliver similar session upon request.

A number of Advocacy groups agreed to take part in a National Taser Advisory Group (NTAG) where they 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 NTAG meetings have taken place which has proved valuable in informing the STO EqHRIA and provided extremely useful feedback to better inform policies, procedures and training. 

The National Taser Unit worked alongside People First (Scotland) and Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities (SOLD) who provided an input in relation to communication tips when dealing with people with learning disabilities, this learning was used to inform role player briefings during scenario-based training to ensure they were based on lived experience as opposed to assumptions and stereotypes. 

Feedback from Deaf Scotland, People First (Scotland) and Children and Young People’s centre for Justice (CYCJ) was recognised and adopted during the uplift programme communication strategy. On the advice of Deaf Scotland, the video published to Police Scotland’s intranet page now includes a BSL interpreter and an easy read document created by Disability Equality Scotland in conjunction with the National Taser Unit was developed to ensure inclusive understanding for age, learning disabilities and autism.

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 200 occasions and discharged on 15 occasions against those under the age of 18 years. It should be noted that although the device has been used 215 times (200 uses and 15 discharges) on persons under 18, 78 (36%) of these uses were draws only, where the device was not pointed.

All 15 discharges were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC). Of these reports, 12 resulted as ‘non- investigation’ as the use of the device was deemed by PIRC to be appropriate and proportionate.  

The remaining 3 discharge referrals (involving one 11-year-old and two 15-year-olds) were fully investigated and deemed proportionate.
 
Taser use on under 18’s accounts for 5.6% of all uses and 3.4% of all discharges. Taser use on persons aged 18+ years’ accounts for 94.4% of all uses and 96.6% of all discharges. 
 
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 persons with a smaller stature and these increased risks are covered within Taser training. 
 
Ethnicity 

TABLE

Since its introduction in June 2018, Taser has been shown to be a highly effective tactical option available to officers through data and analytical reports. Allowing officers to deal with dangerous and volatile incidents from a safe distance has reduced the likelihood in both officers and subjects becoming injured. Feedback from Specially Trained Officers highlights increased confidence when dealing with incidents of violence or threats of violence, feeling safer knowing the option is available to them should circumstances allow, in turn ensuring a thriving workforce.