Taser gun arrives for police forces, also in Naples: decree signed

Testing of the Taser, the stun gun that will be issued to law enforcement, has begun in Italy. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has signed the authorization decree. Testing begins in 11 cities: Milan, Naples, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Palermo, Catania, Padua, Caserta, Reggio Emilia, and Brindisi. The trials will be carried out by the State Police, the Carabinieri, and the Guardia di Finanza. Thirty devices are currently being purchased. The Interior Ministry emphasizes that the trial phase will follow a set of guidelines developed by a dedicated joint group, which will be used to train the law enforcement officers involved in the initial phase of use. The Taser is "a non-lethal deterrent weapon," Salvini said, adding that its use is an important tool especially for "security officers who patrol the streets and may find themselves in borderline situations where a deterrent measure can be more effective and, above all, can reduce the risks to the personal safety of officers. I believe the stun gun is a valid aid, as demonstrated by the experience of many advanced countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland." The Taser is used by police forces in approximately 107 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, and, in Europe, Finland, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Greece, and the United Kingdom.