Brunstrom calls for frontline stun-guns

A CHIEF constable has said he wants controversial stun guns - which have been linked to more than 200 deaths - to be available to "ordinary frontline officers" instead of just a highly trained elite.

North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom said extending the availability of stun guns or tasers would make a huge difference to policing in rural areas.

But Amnesty International says the guns have been linked to 200 deaths worldwide and the chief constable's plans should be resisted as they represent a move towards an armed police force.

In his blog on the force website Mr Brunstrom writes, "The introduction of taser has been a huge success, but it is still restricted to a handful of specialist officers also armed with real guns.

"We are now considering how to broaden its accessibility to 'ordinary' front line officers so that it can be more quickly deployed when needed urgently.

"This is particularly relevant in rural areas like south Meirionnydd where calling for specialist back-up can take ages, and cause unacceptable risks to members of the public."

An Amnesty spokesperson said presenting tasers as a less lethal option preferable to guns is a "false argument".

"We're extremely concerned about the chief constable's comments. Amnesty is aware that in the US tasers have been related to the deaths of suspects. Also they have not been rigorously tested so a widespread deployment is not sensible."

Mr Brunstrom wants his force to trial a more extended use of the taser in the summer.

Darren Devine, Western Mail