HUNDREDS of Essex Police officers are being trained to use a new generation Taser which provides additional options to safely resolve violent and potentially dangerous incidents.

The Home Secretary approved the use of the Axon Taser 10 (T10) by police forces across the UK in October 2025, with forces subsequently beginning the transition to the new device.

As part of Essex Police's rollout programme, 665 frontline officers are being trained in the safe, effective and proportionate use of the T10.

All armed officers within the Force Support Unit and at Stansted Airport will also receive training in its use.

The T10 will replace the force's existing Taser X2 devices, which will be phased out as officers complete their annual refresher training.

New Taser officers will automatically be trained to carry and use the T10.

Taser is an energy device which can temporarily affect a person's neuromuscular system, allowing officers to bring potentially dangerous situations under control.

It is one of a number of tactical options available to officers when dealing with incidents involving violence, threats or significant risk.

Between 1 January 2026 and 31 July 2026, Essex Police officers deployed a Taser 161 times.

Of those incidents, only 30 resulted in the device being discharged.

Many incidents are resolved without a discharge being necessary, highlighting the role Taser can play in helping officers safely de-escalate situations and protect members of the public, officers and those involved in incidents.

A stratement from Essex Police says: "Safeguards surrounding Taser use remain unchanged. Strict national and local rules govern the use of Taser, with deployment statistics published regularly.

"The data records every stage of a Taser deployment, including when the device is drawn, aimed, used as a warning, activated using its laser sight, discharged or subject to additional electrical cycles.

"When an Essex Police officer draws a Taser, their body-worn video camera is automatically activated.

"Many deployments are reviewed by specially trained officers to ensure the device has been used lawfully, appropriately and proportionately."

Essex Police currently has 665 trained Taser officers patrolling communities across the county.

That number is determined through an annual threat assessment process which considers a range of operational and risk-related factors to establish how many officers should be equipped to carry Taser.

The T10 introduces a number of new features designed to support officers when responding to violent or high-risk incidents.

One of the key enhancements is a high-intensity 1,000-lumen warning light, designed to help officers mitigate threats and de-escalate incidents without needing to discharge the device.

Among the other enhancements are:

• Greater operational capability – officers can deploy up to 10 individually targeted probes without needing to reload. The previous X2 device only allowed officers to fire the device twice before reloading.
• Improved accuracy and range – enhancements to the device are designed to give officers additional options when responding to dangerous incidents, helping them safely resolve situations and reduce the risk of injury to members of the public, officers and suspects.
• Reduced administration – automated data downloads remove the need for officers to manually extract device data, freeing up time for frontline policing and investigations.

Chief Inspector Julia Finch said: "Our officers regularly deal with unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations where they must make quick decisions to protect the public and catch criminals.

"The Taser 10 gives them an enhanced capability when responding to those incidents and provides additional options to bring situations under control safely and proportionately.

"Taser is an important policing tool, but it is also one that is subject to significant scrutiny.

"Every officer receives extensive training, every deployment is recorded, and our use of Taser is governed by strict national guidance.

"Our aim is always to resolve incidents safely, minimise harm and protect the communities we serve.

"The introduction of the Taser 10 will help us continue doing exactly that."