The Catalan Parliament’s Interior Committee has approved a proposal from the Partit Popular de Catalunya (PPC) to ensure that Mossos d’Esquadra patrol cars carry electric conducted-energy weapons, commonly known as Tasers, according to a report published on Wednesday.
For residents and people encountering a police emergency, the proposal would mean Mossos officers could have access to the devices from their own vehicle rather than waiting for equipment assigned to the duty sergeant. Mossos d’Esquadra is Catalonia’s regional police force.
“Mossos need equipment and protocols that allow them to act quickly, effectively and safely. They cannot be asked to confront situations of maximum danger hand-to-hand,” PPC MP Alberto Villagrasa said.
Proposal seeks to change current deployment system
Villagrasa said the current system links the devices to the duty sergeant’s operation. He argued that this can create delays when officers urgently need one, because the available unit may be kilometres away.
- The PPC proposal seeks to make the devices available in every patrol vehicle.
- Villagrasa said the weapons would be an additional tool, rather than a replacement for firearms.
- He said their purpose would be to resolve high-risk incidents without officers having to make physical contact.
The MP cited an incident on Calle Madrid in Barcelona on 18 June, when he said an extremely aggressive person kept police occupied for more than 20 minutes. He said that, had the device been in the responding patrol car, the period of risk could have been reduced to no more than three minutes.
Reported by elcatalan.es.
