Tazers Must Go!!!

Ógra Shinn Féin in Derry held a protest on Saturday outside Strand Road PSNI Station over the introduction of Taser Guns. Representatives from West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin and Magee Ógra Shinn Féin also were in attendance. Ógra members handed out leaflets and engaged with members of the public throughout the duration of the protest.

Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Niall Doran stated,

“The introduction of Tasers into the PSNI armoury without the support of the Policing Board and without the results of an Equality Impact Assessment contravenes the Patton Report principle of communities having a say in policing. The ability of these weapons to cause death is well documented and they cannot be allowed to be used indiscriminately."

“Even though we are being told that these weapons will only be used as an alternative to live rounds and as a weapon of protection, last week on a BBC Fly on the Wall documentary, Welsh Police used a Taser Gun on a man as an offensive tactic. The man was standing in the street when a police officer approached him and used a Taser, It was later confirmed that the man was totally innocent.

“This type of abuse gets introduced when the public do not take a stand and Ógra Shinn Féin are determined to highlight the issue so that it remains on the agenda of the Policing Board and that the Chief Constable withdraws the weapon from general use."