PLANS to arm volunteer police officers with Tasers have already been put into action, with the British Transport Police becoming the first force to roll out the weapons. 

It comes just one week after Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that special constables should be able to use electric stun guns if given basic training. 

As of today some British Transport Police volunteer officers are carrying Tasers while on duty across England and Wales.

The first cohort of 22 have completed a three-day course on using the devices — the same training that regular officers receive.

The rollout has gone ahead despite warnings from Amnesty International that it “will inevitably lead to the increased firing of Tasers and more instances of misuse, serious harm and death.”

Anti-racism campaigners also raised concerns that the expansion of Taser use would disproportionately impact black and ethnic minorities. 

A 2021 report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found that black people were three times more likely to be subjected to prolonged Taser use. 

The police watchdog’s report had called for a reduction in the use of stun guns after finding that officers had used the weapons on children and mentally unwell people. 

But Special Chief Officer Ben Clifford said the force’s special constables “are exposed to the exact same risks as regular officers,” such as terrorism, public safety and public order offences. 

“The Taser has a critical place in protecting the public and officers as a less lethal device,” he claimed. 

British Transport Police employ 270 volunteer officers, who are deployed alongside regular officers and have the same powers.