In June 2016, the City of London police force began to equip some of its frontline officers with Tasers, or “conducted energy devices,” as they are known in such circles. The move was the first of its kind in England and Wales, and criminologists from the University of Cambridge used the shift to carry out a major experiment on how the public responds to visibly armed officers. Their findings suggest that while they were barely used, the sight of Tasers seems to lead to more aggressive behavior from both sides, with the researchers calling for a rethink on how such items should be carried.
The weapons effect: How equipping police with Tasers fuels hostilities
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