The government decided that the Norwegian police would be allowed to use electroshock weapons as a means of force. As a result, the police will be better adapted to difficult situations
Such a weapon has been tested in four police districts
- The police want it and that is why we are now introducing electroshock weapons as a tool in demanding situations for the police. The electroshock weapon was tested in four police districts. Experience shows that it is effective and appropriate in situations where the perpetrator is armed with e.g. a knife. This is the Minister of Justice and Crisis Management Monica Mæland.
Since 2019, the Norwegian police have been testing electroshock weapons in four police districts; Oslo (limited to the Emergency Response Team), east, southwest and Troms. The Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness received evaluation report of the trial program together with the Norwegian recommendation Police Directorate (POD) on the introduction of electroshock weapons to the police.
BThe electroshock shower should not dominate the preferred means of force
- On the basis of POD recommendations, the government decided that electroshock weapons will be gradually introduced into police districts. I would like to emphasize that the electroshock weapon should not dominate the preferred means of force over the stick and pepper spray. It should, however, bridge the gap between them and firearms, says Mæland.
. Norway is not alone in introducing such a solution.
- In Sweden, they had a similar test scheme to us, and this spring they decided to introduce electroshock weapons from 2022. Electroshock weapons are also used by the Finnish and British police - summarizes the Minister of Justice
