One hundred and ninety six more Kent police officers will be trained to use Taser in the next six months to provide round-the-clock cover across the county.

Research has shown that just the deployment of the specialist equipment significantly reduces violence towards officers and allows officers to bring control to potentially dangerous situations.

Kent Police first began using Taser in 2005 but deployed them solely to firearms incidents. At that time, Kent held 50 Tasers but during the past four years, that number has more than trebled, with some non-firearms officers also being trained to use them in response to a range of incidents. The 196 further officers being trained to use Taser will bring the number of fully trained officers to around 300.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams said: 'During the time Kent Police has used Taser, it has become clear that they are a highly effective in violent or potentially dangerous situations. Often, just the presence of officers carrying and drawing Taser is enough of a deterrent to a volatile or violent individual resisting arrest to make them surrender to police. In fact, Taser is rarely discharged. Since Taser was introduced in Kent, we have deployed them 142 times but there have been just eight discharges (between December 2008 and 4 January 2010).'

By training a further 196 officers, a Taser trained, double-crewed Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) will cover every district in Kent around the clock.

ACC Adams continued 'These officers and this level of cover will allow us to respond quickly and effectively to volatile or dangerous situations where control is needed quickly but firearms officers are not specifically required.'

Earlier this year, the Home Office provided funding to Kent Police for additional Tasers as part of a national Taser expansion programme. Since then and following representations from the Police Federation, reviews have been undertaken and work carried out to establish the best and most effective way to use the equipment.

Kent Police Authority continues to invest in the ongoing use of Taser and training for officers.

The criteria for the use of Taser is set out in the Association of Chief Police Officers 2008 Taser Policy and Guidance. It details that where there is reason to suppose that an officer is facing violence, or threats of violence, of such severity that they would need to use force to protect the public, themselves and/or the subject, then Taser can be deployed.

Head of Firearms, Chief Inspector Tim Cook, said 'The extension of Taser is a welcome addition to our ability to respond to incidents of violence, and protect our staff and the public of Kent.'

Mark Gilmartin, Chief Executive of the Kent Police Authority (KPA) said 'Police Authority members have been kept up to date on the use of Taser and it's clear the use of a red dot is sufficient to make most individuals compliant with police requests. The authority is fully supportive of the use of Taser and we have agreed for its roll out to all emergency response vehicles. Officers will of course be given high-level training.

'Our consultation work has shown there is clearly public support for the use of Tasers - it is an effective tool. This piece of kit reduces the risk of an officer, member of the public or offender being injured. The Force has made a commitment to the authority to provide an annual report detailing the use and deployment of Taser.'

Chair of the Police Federation, PC Ian Pointon, said 'We made representations to the Chief Constable based on the experience of frontline officers. He listened to us and consequently Taser is to be deployed to ERV crews on the six areas. This will enable officers to better protect themselves and the public. Whilst other Chief Constables have chosen not to do this, Mr Fuller is to be congratulated for putting safety first.'