Former police officers have fiercely criticised a Green Party proposal to remove Tasers and pepper spray from frontline policing, warning the move would put officers' lives at risk and give criminals a "free pass to conduct a reign of terror" on British streets. The motion, drawn up by members of Zack Polanski's party, also calls for scrapping the Prevent anti-terror programme and stripping funding from policing, prisons, and surveillance.
Officers warn of deadly consequences
Lucy Hutley, a former detective constable in Essex who was injured in 2015 when a civilian drove into the back of her unmarked car, said even her 14-year-old considered the idea ridiculous. "It seems that eventually they want to do away with police and prisons altogether," she said. "Smart move… not! With the added proposal of removing Prevent it just seems they are giving criminals and terrorists a free pass to conduct a reign of terror in the UK! How do they want police officers to protect themselves if they can’t use the less lethal options of CS or Taser?"
She added: "The only option would be to arm everyone and then it would be chaos as in the USA. At a time when it is clear that we need more police and counter terrorism measures, the Green Party want to reduce it all believing it would make a better Britain? Absolutely insane!"
Police veterans speak out
Stuart Henderson, who served in the Metropolitan Police Service and in Hampshire for a combined 28 years, said he would like to ask Green Party members how they would police the streets in today's climate without Tasers and pepper spray. "On the very, very, very rare occasion that someone has a reaction to CS - besides the obvious initial incapacitating ones - and the possibility of a Taser causing a heart failure... they make officers safe. If these were taken away you would end up with seriously injured officers or worse dead," he said.
"Telling people please stop or saying they are a naughty boy or girl because you have a uniform on does not work. Those days have long gone. With fewer officers and single crewing of those officers help is an age away if you're in the requesting end. Having been assaulted many times during my career... more were deterred by threatening with CS gas, which made them think, and in that fraction of a second, which is all you have sometimes, you can subdue and make the arrest without any harm to either party. Perhaps the Green Party [members] should go on a few shifts with the police then ask themselves is this a good idea."
Concerns over officer safety
Kul Mahar, a retired superintendent with Derbyshire Police, said he is "deeply concerned" by the proposal. "At a time that risk to officers is high, where the police service is still recovering from years are being underfunded in an increasingly complex and divided society, I would see this as presenting an incredibly reckless decision," he said. "The UK police service is one the very few left in the world that regularly operates without firearms but non lethal measures, such as Taser and CS spray are critical for the safety of the officers and public."
The former gold commander and public order commander also referenced the recent deaths of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, in Cleveland, which "show the ever present risk that police officers face on a daily basis". The PCs died when a car driving the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesborough crashed into their vehicle. A Volkswagen Passat that had been pursued by police hit the marked armed response vehicle seconds after the chase was terminated along the highway.
Kerry Snuggs, who served four years as a special constable and 17 years as a regular officer in Hampshire, said: "They are out of touch with policing. They need to see what it’s actually like." She added the proposal "raises serious questions about the safety of those who put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public".
"Police officers routinely attend violent and unpredictable situations where seconds can make the difference between someone being safely detained and an officer, member of the public or suspect suffering serious injury or death," Ms Snuggs said. "We should always demand that police use force lawfully, proportionately and responsibly. But taking away tactical options without providing a credible alternative risks leaving officers dangerously exposed."
The question the public deserves answered is simple: if Taser and PAVA are removed, what exactly are officers expected to use when confronted with an immediate and serious threat? Prevention, community investment and tackling the causes of crime are important. But they cannot replace an officer’s ability to respond when violence is already happening. Our emergency services deserve protection, proper equipment and strong legal safeguards. We should be looking at how we can make policing safer—not removing options that may protect an officer or save a life. Those who run towards danger to protect us deserve to know that their Government has their back.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said on X on Sunday: "In the Green Party, any member can propose a policy. It’s in our constitution, and members decide whether to debate it. So when the media presents that as the Green Party 'proposing' a policy, they’re misleading you. Worth asking why the billionaire press constantly attacks us."
