Mixed reaction to move to ‘increase size of police teams armed with Tasers in NI’
It comes as figures indicated there were 850 assaults on officers in Northern Ireland over the last year.
There has been a mixed reaction to a suggestion that steps are being taken to increase the size of police teams in Northern Ireland carrying Tasers.
The move comes as officers continue to face attacks, including seven officers being injured at music events in Belfast earlier this month.
A total of 850 assaults on officers were recorded from September 6 2025 to September 6 2026.
The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, last year called for the consideration of a wider rollout of Tasers.
On Wednesday, BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show reported that Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will take steps to increase the size of teams carrying Tasers.
Mr Singleton said Tasers have been in use within the PSNI for some time.
“At present, use of CEDs (conductive energy devices) is restricted to specialist units within the service who receive high levels of training to ensure they are ready to step into unknown, rapidly developing and often dangerous situations,” he said.
“All officers have access to protections including ergonomic body armour and spit-and-bite guards.
“The range of evidence we currently have, including our use of force data, does not in our view currently support the case for CEDs to be routinely carried by all officers.
“We do, however, keep the requirement and availability for use of these devices under regular review, and are taking steps to increase the size of the specialist teams that currently carry CEDs.”
It also reported that the PSNI is transitioning to a new form of conductive energy devices (CEDs), known by their brand name Tasers, in the form of the Taser T10 device.
Mr Singleton said officers may use Tasers to “protect themselves and their colleagues but also to protect the public and prevent harm to individuals”.
“Whilst legislation permits the use of reasonable force by officers where necessary to carry out their role, it can only be used when it is lawful, proportionate, and reasonable in the circumstances,” he added.
Chairman of the Police Federation Liam Kelly said it is “welcome to see the service moving to increase the number of specialist teams trained to carry CEDs”.
He also said the reported figure of 850 assaults is provisional, and the real figure is “likely to be higher”.
“Given the extent of assaults, I would urge the service to move at pace to complete this overdue and necessary work,” he said.
“Our men and women show great courage and restraint when confronted by assailants. These attackers are out to do harm and inflict injury on officers who work to protect society. They do not deserve to be kicked, punched, spat at and bitten by thugs.
“CEDs not only offer additional protection for officers but they serve as a deterrent and are most likely to make would-be attackers think twice about lashing out and inflicting pain and injury.”
However Amnesty International has expressed concern, describing the new Taser 10 as “carrying significant new risks, with the potential for serious unintended injuries”.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s head of nations and regions, said: “With more and longer barbed spikes fired at a higher velocity designed to penetrate heavy clothing, the risk of devastating, unintended injuries – especially to the face or eyes – is deeply worrying.
“Amnesty International recognises that the police have a duty to protect the public and themselves from harm, but coroners have pointed to Taser use as a key factor in the deaths of several people across the UK.
“This is a potentially lethal weapon and must be treated accordingly and only deployed only as a last-resort alternative to firearms in situations where there is an imminent risk to life or very serious injury.”
He added: “With the planned expansion in use of this new Taser, the Policing Board should, at a minimum, ensure that the PSNI ends the use of this electro-shock weapon against children, in compliance with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s repeated recommendations.
“It should also conduct a new rigorous equality assessment given the additional risks posed by the T10 and ongoing serious concerns about significant racial disproportionality in Taser use.”