Media

Press Releases

2010

Friday 5 February 2010

Police Tasers and Epilepsy

Strathclyde police officers know how to use tasers but do they know how to recognise someone having a seizure? National charity Epilepsy Scotland is questioning whether police officers have had the epilepsy training to properly identify seizures in people who seem unresponsive, intoxicated or aggressive.

Chief Executive Lesslie Young explained: “Without appropriate training, police officers at the very least could unnecessarily hurt someone with the taser just before, during or after a seizure when the individual is unable to respond. At worst, discharging a taser may potentially trigger a seizure in either a person with well controlled epilepsy or someone who never had a seizure until 50,000 volts of electricity from a taser hits them.”

Epilepsy Scotland is already calling on Police Forces across Scotland to ensure adequate epilepsy training is available to their staff. The proposed introduction of tasers confirms again that awareness training for all operational staff is essential. This would reduce the risk of officers mistaking seizure symptoms for non-compliant, combative or intoxicated behaviour and ensure the officer’s safety.

There is also a need for in-custody medical evaluations of everyone given a taser discharge, especially detained persons known (or suspected) to have epilepsy or other conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease which may influence the individual’s fitness to be detained and would warrant a transfer to hospital.

ENDS


Notes to editor

  1. Epilepsy Scotland works with people affected by epilepsy to ensure that their voice is heard. We campaign for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma. This common serious neurological condition affects one in 130 people. We represent the nearly 40,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland, their families and carers.
  2. Our freephone Helpline (0808 800 2200) offers advice, support and information. People can email (enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk), text 07786 209501, or download information from our website: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
  3. For more details please contact: Communications Manager, Allana Parker Phone: 0141 427 4911 or email: aparker@epilepsyscotland.org.uk

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