Articles by Ross Reid
Concerns remain over potential roll-out of Tasers to police
A preliminary report into a contentious sixmonth pilot that saw police officers carrying Tasers has reignited a debate on whether Scotland could join a growing list of countries whose beat officers carry firearms.
The evaluation of the trial that took place in Strathclyde, which saw 50 beat officers armed with Tasers whilst carrying out regular duties across Glasgow city centre, said officers had behaved responsibly.
Tasers, high voltage guns that fire two electric barbs up to 35 feet and deliver a disabling 50,000-volt shock, are not new to police in the UK and are deployed to specialist firearms officers. The Strathclyde trial, however, is thefirst time beat bobbies in Scotland have been allowed to carry the device.
When the pilot was announced, there was much concern expressed that the specially trained police officers (STOs) who would take part had only received three days training.
While the preliminary report into the trial, which started in 2010, said officers “made proportionate and sensible judgements about the deployment of Taser,” it also stated the use by non-firearms officers may be in breach of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
In the report, Christopher Mason, who was a member of the Strathclyde Police Authority, said the Taser was deployed in 11 incidents but only used in one; in a further eight cases just drawing it was enough to persuade the person to comply.
“One interesting feature of all 19 incidents is that the officer invariably reports that if talking to the suspect was not working, he had considered the option of deploying Taser against three other tactical options which are classified as ‘non-lethal’: ‘open hands’, use of the baton, and use of CS gas,” Mason said.
“The CS gas option was usually rejected because of the uncertainty of its effects, and thefirst ti...
Continue reading...
Scotland Bill overshadowed by independence referendum Not that long ago, the prospect of Scotland setting separate rates of income tax and gaining borrowing powers of £5bn would have been considered a landmark moment in the devolution settlement. But, against the backdrop of an eagerly awaited referendum on independence, the Scotland Bill debate came and went at the Scottish Parliament last week without much conflict and for those taking part, it was clear that thoughts are fixed on a much bigger prize. MSPs endorsed the legislation for new income tax and borrowing powers for Holyrood as part of the UK Government’s Scotland Bill, which is nearing its final stages in the Lords and has been described as the largest transfer of financial powers to Scotland since the creation of the UK. [...]
Written Question 16.04.2012: Prison visitation Mary Fee (Lab) asked whether the Scottish Government thinks every child has the right to visit a parent who is in prison and, if so, whether this right can be withdrawn as a disciplinary measure against a parent. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said prison rules provide that persons of a prisoner’s choice must be allowed to visit. “The rules also provide various punishments in relation to a breach of discipline by a prisoner, but these do not include withdrawal of this right to a visit by a child,” MacAskill added. “The rules also provide that the governor may, however, in the interest of security, prohibit a prisoner from receiving a visit from any person, terminate a visit to a prisoner or order that a visit [...]
Police reform is the justice issue being debated by local authorities The justice portfolio normally throws up a catalogue of topics crucial to local authorities – from tackling antisocial behaviour through to providing rehabilitative programmes for offenders. But the upcoming council elections have seen the issue of policing reforms dominating the brief. The SNP has been quick to acknowledge that the merging of the country’s eight forces into one national unit is the biggest change in at least a generation, but local authorities have expressed concern over a number of issues, including potential reductions to police officer numbers and threats to accountability. It has been announced that single forces for Scotland’s police and fire services are expected to begin operating on 1 April next year. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has [...]
It is hoped commission on female offending can inspire prison reform The reputation of Scotland’s criminal justice system has long been besmirched by prisons filled beyond capacity and embarrassing reoffending rates. Incarcerating more than double the number of people than our European counterparts, despite having comparative crime rates, Scotland’s revolving door culture is a regular source of political and social despair. The nation’s prison population reached a new record high last month of 8,316. The issue was brought back into focus last week when a commission set up by the Scottish Government and led by former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini gave a damning verdict on how female offenders are treated by the criminal justice system. The report recommended demolishing women’s prison Cornton Vale and replacing it with a smaller jail [...]
