“Taser Use for PSNI: We can probe and question but Chief Constable’s operational independence must be safeguarded at all costs” says UUP Policing Board member
Ulster Unionist Police Board Member Basil McCrea, speaking ahead of a Police Board meeting with the Chief Constable to discuss the implementation of a Taser pilot scheme, said that while it was right and proper to hold Policing matters to account, the Board’s function was not to tell the Chief Constable what to do as this would amount to political policing.
In a statement Mr McCrea said,
“The introduction of the Taser has raised many questions amongst board members and as Chair of the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee i will be asking the Chief Constable questions about operational guidance and procedures for deployment of the Taser units, the procurement process and what training will take place.
In addition we want the ground rules for use firmly established and call on Taser use to be justified where the officer honestly and reasonably believes that it is immediately necessary in order to prevent a real risk of death and serious injury.
These are sensible questions to be raising. What we cannot and must not do, particularly from quarters whom have called for an end to perceived political policing, is interfere or seek to make political decisions for the PSNI. My own personal view is that the Chief Constable’s operational independence must be safeguarded at all costs and at all times.”