Officers in the Royal Montserrat Police Service are undergoing training from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service on how to use Taser devices against armed criminals.
The instruction is part of the new acting police chief’s plans to improve law enforcement knowledge and procedures within the Montserrat force and boost public safety.
Commissioner Mark Payne explained in a video that the electronic stun guns had previously available to the service and the equipment is now being updated and reintroduced.
In the Facebook broadcast on 10 June, he said his first duty as acting commissioner is to keep the public safe.
“I have a real concern that, at the minute, our officers do not have some of the capacity that I would like them to have to keep and protect the public from any harm,” he said.
Payne explained that in order to combat that, he has introduced the training programme to allow officers to use Taser devices.
“Taser devices have been used all over the world and in fact have been available for use previously in Montserrat,” the commissioner said.
“They provide officers with the ability to resist, for example, a knife or a machete in the hands of somebody who might be drunk or might be having a mental health episode.”
The devices allow this to happen safely, for the person concerned, for the officer, and for the people of Montserrat, Payne said.
Scrutiny and oversight
The police chief said some people might be concerned about the device, but stressed that a superintendent or an inspector will have to authorise officers each time they use a Taser.
There will also be scrutiny and oversight, and when one is used, a senior officer will review the circumstances to make sure it was appropriate, he added.
“I hope that will allay any concerns that people might have and give you confidence that what we are seeking to do, is keep you safe and keep our officers safe and maintain the peace and the lovely environment that I’ve encountered so far on Montserrat,” Payne said.
Twenty-four officers are taking part in the training, with more expected to take part in the near future. A total of ten Tasers are available for use on island.
Tasers fire two small dart-like electrodes that remain connected to the main unit by conductive wire as they deliver electric current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles.
They can be used from a distance, typically up to 15 to 25 feet, and are designed to incapacitate the target by delivering a high-voltage, low-amperage shock.
In a government press release, Payne said Tasers are the safest option against armed criminals as they cause no lasting damage.
The equipment keeps the public and officers safe, and is a better option than using a baton, which can cause serious injury, he said.
The police commissioner plans to update the public on additional activities in further video posts, radio interviews and community events.
Deputy Commissioner Wade Chase and other members of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service will continue to provide training to Montserrat officers.
