TASERS
where an officer is deployed without a partner. In 2023 and 2024, 63 per cent of officers said they were always single crewed, while just 17 per cent said they were never single crewed. Despite the risks, reality falls far short of officer preference. Three quarters of officers, 74 per cent, say they would like to always be double crewed, yet only 27 per cent are in practice. The combination of rising assaults and
routine single crewing has clear implications for officer safety. Tasers offer a tactical advantage by allowing officers to create distance from a subject, reducing the need for close physical contact. Unlike batons, which require officers to enter striking range, Tasers support control and de-escalation from a safer distance, lowering the risk of injury to officers, suspects and members of the public. Alex Lowe, UK and Ireland regional
Firearms Lead Phil Jones said: “These figures underline what our members have been telling us for years. Policing is becoming more dangerous, not less, and officers are being asked to manage rising levels of violence with fewer safeguards around them. “Assaults on police officers have risen by
nearly 40 per cent since 2015, with more than 41,000 assaults recorded last year.
“Forces are having to make
difficult decisions over funding shortfalls, but financial pressures shouldn’t override the safety of officers or influence single crewing decisions.”
director at Axon, said the data demonstrates how officers are adapting to the realities of modern policing, valuing equipment that can reduce physical confrontation and help resolve incidents more safely. Police Federation of England and Wales
At the same time, officers are routinely deployed alone. Nearly two thirds say they are always single crewed, despite three quarters wanting to be double crewed. That is a clear gap between what officers need to stay safe and the reality they face on the ground. “In that context, it is no surprise that officers are increasingly relying on Taser as a means of self-protection. Taser allows officers to create distance, deescalate situations and reduce the risk of serious
injury to themselves, the public and those they are policing. The fact that it is drawn but not discharged in the vast majority of cases shows it is primarily a deterrent and de-escalation tool. “We fully support a wider, voluntary rollout of Taser to all frontline officers and special constables who wish to carry it and who pass the necessary assessments. It must remain a choice for officers, not a mandate. “However, equipment
alone will not solve the problem. Rising assaults, persistent single crewing and falling pay in real terms point to a system under severe strain. Officer safety must be treated as a priority, with
proper resourcing, realistic deployment models and significantly more investment in training and officer safety skills. We know forces are having to make difficult decisions over funding shortfalls, but financial pressures shouldn’t override the safety of officers or influence single crewing decisions. “Our members go to work every day knowing the risks are increasing. They deserve to be properly protected, properly supported and properly valued.”
17 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2026
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