The Mossos d’Esquadra have fired a total of 212 times since 2018 with their 120 electric guns. The use of so-called Taser guns left 209 people unhurt, one injured and one dead, according to data provided by the Interior Ministry. to questions from Commons MP Andrés García Berrio. A dangerous dog was also electrocuted in 2023.
The Catalan police began using electric guns in June 2018. Since then, this type of weapon has been mired in controversy due to its potentially harmful use, proven in the case of the man suffering from a psychiatric illness of Badalona, who died in 2021 after being shot with a Taser. The matter is under judicial investigation after the Barcelona court reported deficits in the Mossos’ internal audit.
After more than five years of operation, the evaluation carried out by the Catalan police itself also confirms that the death of a person shot by a Taser was an exception. The vast majority of impacts resulted in people being unharmed (the shot produces slight erosions, either due to contact of the electrical probes with the skin, or to the fall after motor paralysis). In only one case were the injuries more serious.
Its use is frequent, but not widespread, with a little more than three injections per month on average. In 2019, the year with the highest number of Taser shots recorded, there were 40 uses; 2020 follows with 39; 2023 with 38; 2019 with 37 and 2021 with 34. In 2018 there were only four shots (they started being used in June) and so far in 2024 there have been 20. Usage These weapons have also spread to 74 local police forces in Catalonia, and the Barcelona City Council wishes to acquire them for the Guàrdia Urbana.
No recording in some cases
In her parliamentary response to the Commons, the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, states that the Catalan police are incorporating 800 personal cameras to record actions with Tasers, as established in the protocols, to correct the deficit of recordings. detected. Some camera batteries had “gone bad,” meaning some stun gun shots were not recorded.
“Over time, the percentage of non-recordings has increased,” warns Parlon, who does not specify the number of performances that were not recorded.
The department emphasizes that the new recording devices “feature better technology and longer battery life” and that the new cameras will allow video footage of the entire Taser action from from the moment the weapon is drawn. “Autosave is no longer enabled when using [la Taser]but when the safety is released, whether the probes project or not [eléctricas]», underlines Parlon.
The Commons demand changes in protocols
The protocol for the use of this type of weapon has not been reformed since 2018. The internal regulations continue to consider cases of use of Tasers that the Sindicatura de Greuges de Catalunya (equivalent to the Ombudsman) or entities like Amnesty International (AI) claimed to restrict.
Given the impossibility for the officer to know at a glance whether the person shot suffers from heart disease, psychiatric problems (as happened in the case of the dead man in Badalona ) or if she has consumed alcohol or drugs (assumptions which can have serious consequences when receiving a shock of 50,000 volts at low amperage), these organizations have called for a much more limited use of weapons that the Ministry of the Interior of the time, in the hands of the Junts, ignored
In addition, the Mossos’ ban on using electrical devices against “babies” is limited to minors under 12 years of age, within the meaning of the Catalan law on the rights of the child, while Parliament advises against their use towards all minors aged 18. .
For García Berrio, the time has come to update and review the protocols developed six years ago and to include all the recommendations made by the Gregues Union, including explicitly prohibiting its use towards all minors.
The parliamentarian of the Commons also considers it necessary to evaluate the Taser shots already carried out by a commission of experts which includes not only professionals from the Mossos d’Esquadra, but also representatives from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Catalonia (IMLCFC). ). “Today, the only audit is carried out by the Mossos themselves, which has sparked criticism from the Justice system,” recalls García Berrio.
In response to García Berrio’s questions, Minister Parlon explains that the Catalan police “participate in training” organized by the Taser weapons marketing company, a circumstance that the Comuns parliamentarian considers “not very rigorous” and lacks independence . “We should guarantee a complete evaluation of the use of force,” reflects the MP.
In this training, adds the head of the Interior, the agents receive “at least one shock”, but “many” uniformed agents receive two electric shocks “so that they know the effect of the use on other people.” “It is not known that any officer experienced health problems after the training was rejected,” Parlon adds.
