A NATIONAL review of Taser use by police forces ranks Derbyshire as below average.
The report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) published today reveals that, last year, Tasers were used by county officers 83 times.
This works out as 5% of officers using the electro-shock weapon. The average figure for forces in England and Wales is 9%.
IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: "We've always accepted that there are legitimate reasons for using Taser in policing and that it can be a valuable tool in assisting police officers to manage difficult situations.
"However, in light of the significant increase in Taser use, it is important to ensure that the device is being used appropriately and not as a default choice where other options, including communication, could be effective."
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Knighton said: "We carefully assess the best way to handle incidents and all of our Taser deployments are managed by a police officer of inspector rank."
