All police officers in the Netherlands should be equipped with a taser – a hand-held apparatus that gives people an electric shock – justice minister Ivo Opstelten is quoted as saying at the weekend.

Opstelten said the experience of special arrest teams who had been using tasers is positive and further research will show if the weapon can be used by all police officers.
The media reports point out use of the electro-shock weapon is controversial and that police unions have expressed doubts about the taser. Amnesty International has also warned about the risks attached to tasers and called for more research.
Dutch police officers are currently equipped with a hand gun, a truncheon and pepper spray, news agency ANP said.
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