Police armour call over safety

A police officer is attacked in Scotland every hour

Police officers in Scotland should be required to wear protective body armour and be trained to use CS spray, according to a report.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) for Scotland said statistics suggested an attack on an officer every hour of the day.

It said mandatory body armour would go some way to protecting police officers.

HMIC Chief Inspector Andrew Brown said progress had been made on safety issues but more could be done.

During the period 1994 - 2003, an average of 9519 assaults upon police staff were recorded each year, the report said.

It said: "In simple numerical terms, this means that, on average, somewhere in Scotland, an officer is subjected to some form of physical assault at least once every hour."

Today's report identifies the progress being made by the Scottish police service to address the safety of police officers Andrew Brown HMIC

It examined the policies, protective equipment and training available to help ensure the safety of police officers.

The report also said initial officer safety training at the Scottish Police College should be extended to include instruction in CS incapacitant spray.

It urged the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpos) in Scotland to maintain a "detailed awareness" of extended operational trials of tasers - battery operated devices that generate a high voltage electrical current - in England and Wales.

'Tactical option'

"Early evaluation of the taser device has revealed its potential to provide an extra tactical option in dealing with extremely violent individuals," the report said.

"HMIC is of the view that the potential value of the introduction of such a device within a Scottish policing environment is one that should be fully tested."

Police, special constables and civilian support staff are regularly required to respond to incidents involving confrontation and violence, it said.

While cases of injury and death were rare, the report highlighted the risk of personal injury, particularly in incidents involving knives.

Police death

The report said the death of Constable Lewis Fulton in Glasgow in 1994 acted as a "stark reminder of the lethal nature of bladed weapons".

Mr Brown said: "Today's report identifies the progress being made by the Scottish police service to address the safety of police officers and support staff across the country.

"For example, it notes the increased availability and provision of additional items of protective equipment, such as emergency restraint belts, search and retrieval devices and knife resistant gloves.

"It also identifies areas where forces can build on that progress, such as effective regular training to ensure officers are able to respond effectively to complex and emotionally charged situations and improve collation and analysis of information on police assaults."