Majority of Scots back routine Taser carriage for officers

The survey of 2,034 adults, carried out for 1919 Magazine, found that 59 per cent of respondents agreed that all officers should be equipped with a Taser and trained in its use, including 28 per cent who strongly agreed. Seventeen per cent disagreed, while the remainder were undecided.

The findings are likely to strengthen calls from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which has made wider Taser access a central demand ahead of the forthcoming Holyrood election.

Latest figures show there were 7,159 assaults on officers in 2024/25, a rise of 6.3 per cent on the previous year, with the SPF arguing that officers are increasingly dealing with violent and unpredictable incidents.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, said the poll demonstrated public backing for expanding Taser availability. “Any officer who is operational should have access to a Taser on the street so they can defend themselves and members of the public.”

Around 2,000 officers in Police Scotland are currently trained to use Tasers, following an earlier expansion of the programme in response to rising assaults on officers.

Kennedy added: “There’s often no backup for officers when they are there. The attitude towards policing appears to have changed. Offenders are more willing to attack police officers. That’s not acceptable. We need to make sure police officers have the proper equipment to defend themselves and the communities in Scotland.”

However, the question of routine Taser carriage remains contested. Critics have raised concerns about the potential for increased use of force, as well as the need for robust training, oversight and accountability.

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, of Police Scotland’s Operational Support Division, said: “Police Scotland has a duty to protect life and ensure the safety of police officers and the public and the use of Taser gives officers an additional tactical option. Following a rise in officer assaults, we increased the number of Specially Trained Officers to 2,000.

“We acknowledge the survey results and the views of the public. Our Chief Constable has been clear in our ambitions for the future of policing that a further rollout should be considered to strengthen the frontline and deliver safer communities.

“The decision to use Taser is based on the particular circumstances of the incident following an assessment of the threat and risk being faced by the officer or public. It is vital that the threat and risk posed is the primary consideration.

“Tasers protect the public and emergency service workers from violent individuals and the mere presence of the device is often enough to de-escalate situations. It is also highly effective in situations where people may not only harm officers but may be intent on harming themselves.

“Taser will only be used when it’s proportionate, necessary and justified and we have a robust training programme to ensure those specially trained officers provided with Taser know how to use it safely and in the correct circumstances.”