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WorldOct 8Police force show media how force is used on the streets, police to get taser upgradeMembers of the media were invited by the Malta Police Force on Thursday to receive the same lecture given to police recruits on how local police use force while on the job. The police stressed that they only use force when necessary and proportional to what they encounter, i.e., when someone – including the police officer, the subject, or anyone else – may be at risk of injury or death. Briefing the media on behalf of the police corps was Inspector David Bugeja, assisted by Sergeant Isaac Farrugia. The idea behind this briefing was to show, through an insider’s view, how Maltese police react to dangerous situations and what goes through their heads in these quick moments. To do this, media members present at the Academy for Disciplined Forces in Ta’ Kandja, Siggiewi, on Thursday were shown what all police can keep on their holsters, how and when they are used, as well as bodycam footage of real-life scenarios where police’s split-second decisions were analysed. “The whole point is escalation and de-escalation,” Inspector Bugeja said, noting that the presence of a police officer escalates a situation to some degree. Inspector Bugeja stated that, for Maltese police, the use of firearms is only called for when someone’s life is at stake – so much so that the police simply refer to this as “use of deadly force.” Meanwhile, batons, pepper spray, and tasers are at their disposal to calm down aggression or danger. He said that in face of an imminent threat, police officers are trained to only resort to their firearms with the intent of de-escalating a situation by taking someone’s life. He added that what is often seen in films and TV series, i.e., police shooting at vehicle tyres or aiming and firing at a subject’s arms or legs to subdue them, is unrealistic and not done in reality. This briefing taught members of the media about the police’s use of force policy, as well as the instructions and scenarios in which police are allowed to use force, and how. Bugeja stressed that unlike what is practised by police in different parts of the globe, in Malta, police do not flash their weapons in all scenarios in case something happens, as this would result in pushing citizens away from the police. Police try to deal with every situation depending on how far it has escalated. The direst situations call for deadly force, though less dangerous scenarios call for alternatives to firearms, hard physical control, soft physical control (e.g., simply restraining someone), and just communicating. During this briefing, Bugeja noted that it can be very easy to judge footage of police in action – especially as this footage would almost never show the full context behind the situation. He also mentioned that firing a taser is unideal if the perpetrator is near anyone else or right by a wall. Inspector Bugeja stated that police must be careful when even drawing any of their weapons, be it a baton, pepper spray, a taser, or a handgun, as the sighting of a weapon can instantly garner combative reactions. “Police are given options, not weapons,” Bugeja said. Media members were also briefed about the ramifications behind using each weapon and how some options are less viable than others depending on the situation. Aside from the danger of handguns, as one example, Bugeja said that it’s far from ideal to use pepper spray on someone wielding a knife, as this could just enrage them and result in them swinging for the fences, rather than incapacitating them – especially since pepper spray burns its victims for half an hour with no immediate remedy. Bugeja mentioned other physical restraint and control devices have on their person as well, such as a single pair of handcuffs, leg restraints, single-use plastic restraints (zip ties) for multiple arrests, and disposable spit guards (a netting placed over someone’s head) for when a detained person keeps spitting at law enforcement officers. Police are also allowed to give physical strikes to subdue or incapacitate someone out of control. Other available, though less used, uses of force at the police’s disposal are vehicle manoeuvres to stop fleeing vehicles, the deployment of K9 units, and mounted units on horses. Police tasers to be upgraded, Minister says At the end of this briefing, the Minister for Home Affairs, Glenn Bedingfield, told journalists that members of the local corps will soon be receiving more efficient models of tasers to carry on their holsters. With these discussions still ongoing, the Minister shared that a decision has been reached for police tasers to be upgraded to more effective models so that policemen and policewomen are better equipped while enforcing the law and subduing uncooperative and dangerous subjects. During this briefing, Inspector Bugeja stressed that many key moments taken by police are taken through split-second decisions whilst constantly analysing the environment around them. Bugeja also mentioned that “tasers do not resolve situations as easily as people think.” Noting that tasers don’t work half the time in his experience, bodycam footage shown to journalists on Thursday showed several instances where aggressive people were subdued via shock though in at least one example only because two police officers fired at the same subject and only one of the tasers was therefore effective. Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, like Bugeja earlier, stated that it’s easy for people to be keyboard warriors when viewing police footage from a screen and that he hopes that people can appreciate the difficulty that police officers find themselves in, given the nature of their work.independent_mt · malta
PoliticsOct 8Who is Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis who found himself among student protestors in France?Dans une vidéo qui fait le buzz sur les réseaux sociaux, Bally Bagayoko, maire de la ville française de Saint-Denis, en banlieue parisienne, se tient face aux forces de l'ordre lors d'une manifestation à Paris mardi. Protégeant avec son corps de jeunes manifestants et criant « arrêtez » à l'endroit des forces de l'ordre prêtes à charger la foule,BBC Afrique
MilitaryOct 8Dutch firm uses AI to help drone systems ‘talk’ on Ukraine’s battlefieldAmsterdam-based Intelic now has an office in Kyiv and is helping Ukrainian forces as they face intensified Russian drone and missile barrages.Defense News
MilitaryOct 8Dutch firm uses AI to help drone systems ‘talk’ on Ukraine’s battlefieldAmsterdam-based Intelic now has an office in Kyiv and is helping Ukrainian forces as they face intensified Russian drone and missile barrages.Military Times
WorldOct 8EU faces gas shortfall of up to 15% if severe winter hits, report warnsThe EU is entering the winter season on thin ice, facing a double-edged geopolitical squeeze that threatens to expose the fragility of its post-Russian energy architecture.EuroNews [en]
PoliticsOct 8Prosecutors probe 'Islamic arbitration centre' in PaduaUnion of Islamic Communities condemns initiative, says law of State is the only justiceANSA [en]
PoliticsOct 8Blogger charged after Ohio state senator was sent picture of Shrek’s penisD.J. Byrnes allegedly referred to Sen. Jerry Cirino as ‘young Mussolini’ and sent him an image of the cartoon Shrek with his penis exposedThe Independent World
BusinessOct 8Macron tasks Michelin and BMW chiefs with forging a deal on European preference in the automotive sectorFrench President Emmanuel Macron personally asked to build bridges between the positions of carmakers and equipment suppliers in an effort to best protect jobs in the industry.Le Monde [en]
WorldOct 8Three sisters drowned in sea in joint suicide – UK coronerThree British sisters who drowned in the sea in southern England in May died by suicide, a coroner ruled on Thursday at an inquest. The post Three sisters drowned in sea in joint suicide – UK coroner appeared first on Vanguard News.Vanguard Nigeria
PoliticsOct 8French students clash with police as school protests continueStudents clash with police outside French schools as blockades, tear gas and fires mark a new nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.EuroNews [en]
WorldOct 8Experts in Baku urge action as missing persons surge worldwide and in UkraineAround 280,000 people are registered as missing in Ukraine alone, with 10,000 new cases added each month, part of a 70% global rise since 2019. Forensic experts meeting in Baku said the obstacle was not forensic capacity but governmental reluctance.EuroNews [en]
PoliticsOct 8Rubio warns of escalation in Ukraine and calls for a stronger NATO from LisbonClarín
PoliticsOct 8Italy: Giorgia Meloni obtains her electoral law reformDÉCRYPTAGE - Les députés italiens ont validé ce jeudi 8 octobre la réforme électorale baptisée « Stabilicum ». Soutenue depuis plusieurs mois par la première ministre italienne, cette nouvelle loi promet une majorité parlementaire à toute épreuve.Le Figaro International
BusinessOct 8Germany wants UK to raise tariffs on Chinese EVsBerlin wants the measure as a condition of a Made in Europe opt-out for the U.K.Politico Europe
BusinessOct 8World Bank sees Nigeria growth averaging 4.4% through 2028 - ReutersWorld Bank sees Nigeria growth averaging 4.4% through 2028 ReutersReuters World
WorldOct 8Arsenal’s 16-year-old Dowman gets three Guinness World Records certificatesArsenal teenager Max Dowman has been presented with three official Guinness World Records certificates after setting new marks in English and European football before turning 17. The post Arsenal’s 16-year-old Dowman gets three Guinness World Records certificates appeared first on Vanguard News.Vanguard Nigeria
PoliticsOct 8Search warrants for former prince Andrew's homes were unlawful, UK court rulesPolice who searched the properties of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as part of investigations into his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have agreed the search warrants were unlawful, a London judge said Thursday. The 66-year-old younger brother of King Charles II was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office.France 24 [en]
BusinessOct 8A French-German non-paper could be a turning point in EU trade defenseWhat to know about the proposal for a quicker European trade-retaliation tool. The post A French-German non-paper could be a turning point in EU trade defense appeared first on Atlantic Council.Atlantic Council
BusinessOct 8Motorcycle dealership reduces operations in response to falling demandA MOTORCYCLE dealership is reducing its operations in response to a “sharp and sustained decline in demand”. The Mansell Collection, which was founded by 1992 F1 world champion and former Jersey resident Nigel Mansell, has confirmed that while there will be a reduction in stock and workshop hours, there is no intention to close entirely. […] The post Motorcycle dealership reduces operations in response to falling demand appeared first on Jersey Evening Post.jerseyeveningpost · jersey
WorldOct 8Prince Harry finally reveals truth about royal exit with Meghan, ArchiePrince Harry finally reveals truth about royal exit with Meghan, Archie For years Prince Harry carried his pain in silence but now the walls have finally crumbled and in one raw and unguarded moment he has revealed the true depth of his heartbreak over his royal exit with Meghan...geo · pakistan
PoliticsOct 8Warrants to Search Former Prince Andrew’s Properties Were Unlawful, Court FindsA judge in London said that a “significant error” had been made in the granting of search warrants in an investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.NYT World
PoliticsOct 8China trade talks test EU’s appetite for tougher actionTrade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is seeking concessions from Beijing to narrow a record trade deficit, but expectations of a breakthrough are low.Politico Europe
HealthOct 8The disease that once ravaged Europe still exists: could plague return to Spain?The death of a scientist in Russia has reignited fears of plague. Spain has seen no local cases for decades, yet the disease persists elsewhere. How real is the risk in Europe?EuroNews [en]
PoliticsOct 8King David Hotel bombing to consulate row: A timeline of UK-Israel tensionIsrael's order to shut UK's Jerusalem consulate is the latest downturn in a relationship strained since before 1948.Al Jazeera [en]
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