Police electroshock gun trial criticised

(see previous) (ANSA) - Rome, September 30 - The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) on Tuesday criticised plans to introduce Taser electric stun guns to police on a trial basis, saying the money should be used to raise officers' salaries instead. "It has not been said how much these toy guns will cost us, while our amendments to lift the cap on police officers' wages have been declared inadmissible," MPs for the opposition movement led by gadfly ex-comedian Beppe Grillo said. "This is the priority of the government and majority: electric guns instead of unblocking wages and protecting the health of the police force," they continued. The criticism came after police received preliminary approval to trial the electroshock weapon following a motion by Gregorio Fontana of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI) political party on Tuesday.
    The motion must still be approved by the Lower House before the trial can begin.