Hunsbury councillor pays tribute to Taser boss

A Hunsbury councillor has paid tribute to tragic Taser boss Peter Boatman.
West Hunsbury ward councillor for Northampton Borough Council Paul Varnsverry issued a statement on his blog on October 4 following the suicide of Mr Boatman on October 1.
The Pro-Tect Systems operations director took his own life after a police investigation was launched into the supply of Tasers direct to Northumbria Police during the Raul Moat manhunt.
The weapons are supposed to be tested by Government officials prior to being released into the field.
Mr Varnsverry wrote: 'I first met Peter Boatman over twelve years ago, in connection with my work as the Chairman of the British Standards committee for police protective equipment, although I knew of his reputation and the esteem in which he was held by colleagues long before our first meeting. It was my privilege to know him. 
'Peter Boatman had earned immense respect throughout the international policing and security community for his work on officer safety. He was viewed as a pre-eminent expert in his field, greatly in demand at international conferences and he was involved in training police, military and security personnel around the world in the latest peacekeeping and defensive tactics.  
'Peter Boatman was an innovator and although his approach could occasionally be unconventional, it earned him loyalty from rank-and-file officers and the occasional raised eyebrow from senior police officers and the establishment - but he got things done. 
'He convinced Northamptonshire Police to choose the more effective synthetic pepper spray as an incapacitant, rather than the alternative CS spray which most forces were using at the time. He was instrumental in designing the first stab-resistant vests worn by Northamptonshire Police. He recognised the potential for Taser as a means of resolving hostile situations and his efforts saw it put into operational service. 
'I will always remember Peter Boatman for his sense of humour, his sense of duty and his unwavering dedication to improving the safety of the police and the public alike. 
'My thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this sad time.'
Daventry-based Pro-Tect has since learned it will not face any charges in relation to the supply of the Tasers.
There was no suspicion the weapons malfunctioned during the six-hour stand-off with Moat in Rothbury, Northumberland earlier this year.
Moat was shot dead with a Taser while on the run after shooting his former girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, 22, killing her boyfriend Chris Brown, 29, and blinding PC David Rathband, 42.