Northern Ireland: PSNI new '10-shot super taser' raises fundamental safety concerns

Responding to a statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) that they intend to introduce the new ‘Taser 10’ (T10) electro-shock weapon later this year, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said:

“The new Taser 10 electro-shock weapon carries significant new risks, with the potential for serious unintended injuries.

“A weapon that can fire ten times carries a real risk of overuse and serious injury. The longer, faster-firing barbs raise the possibility of serious unintended injuries, particularly for children, who may face a heightened risk of facial or eye injuries.

“Calling this a ‘safer’ Taser is misleading. However, we welcome the removal of the ‘drive stun’ mode, where the weapon is pressed directly against the target to deliver a shock. This means the device can now only be used as a stand-off weapon in dart-firing mode.

“Amnesty International recognises that the police have a duty to protect the public and themselves from harm. However, we have serious concerns about the use of Tasers, including the rise in their use by the PSNI over the past year.

“Coroners have pointed to Taser use as a key factor in the deaths of several people across the UK. This is a potentially lethal weapon and must be treated accordingly. It should be deployed only as a last-resort alternative to firearms.

“With the introduction of this new Taser, the Northern Ireland Policing Board should, at a minimum, ensure that the PSNI ends the use of this electro-shock weapon against children, in compliance with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s repeated recommendations.”

The most recent published PSNI statistics show that for the year between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025, officers drew Tasers (Conductive Energy Devices - CED) on 299 occasions, a 36% increase on the previous 12 months, and fired Tasers on 22 occasions, a 38% increase on the corresponding 12 month period. There were no uses in ‘drive stun’ mode.

Explainer: What’s different about the Taser 10?

1. It has 10 probes with longer barbs, but maximum of 4 charges at any time - unlike older models, the T10 requires two separate firings for full effect, making it more complex to use and demanding extensive retraining for all officers.
2. Reduced voltage (maximum 1,000 volts - current models deliver 50,000 volts) - presented as a safety improvement, but misleading: the weapon remains potentially lethal, especially when misused, and still causes excruciating pain.
3. Dangerous drive stun function removed - unlike older models, the T10 cannot be applied in “drive stun” mode, where the weapon is pressed directly against the target to shock them, causing extreme pain but not incapacitation. Removing drive stun mode is a very welcome development, meaning the weapon can only be used as a stand-off weapon in dart firing mode.
4. Longer, sharper probes - significantly longer barbed spikes, fired with more force, designed to penetrate heavy clothing.
5. Different injury risks - the more forceful barbs increase the chance of serious injuries, particularly if they strike sensitive areas such as the face or eyes, raising particular concerns for children.