Statement of the day: Good that officers now also carry electroshock weapons

An officer aims his taser. Photo: DvhN/Matthijs Sorgdrager

After years of experimentation, police officers will be able to use the taser, an electroshock weapon, nationwide from this year. A positive development?

After years of experimentation, police officers will be able to use the taser from this year. The police in the Northern Netherlands is fully training with the electroshock weapon, such as last Thursday in the Police Education and Training Center in Zuidlaren. The use of the weapon is intended to make the actions of officers safer and more effective.

However, the use of the weapon is controversial. Police officers must be cautious and careful with electroshock weapons, said National Ombudsman Van Zutphen in 2020. According to him, we still know too little about the effects of electroshock weapons on the physical health of vulnerable people, such as the elderly, people with a weak heart or psychosis.

‘Can fall dead’

Amnesty International has also previously expressed serious objections to the use of the taser. According to Amnesty, there could be deaths if the weapon is not used properly or ends up in the hands of the wrong people.

Is it good that officers now also carry electroshock weapons?

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