Tasers for transport police: Swiss government aims to strengthen public transport security

Switzerland's Federal Council is moving to bolster security on public transport by authorizing transport police to carry Tasers. This decision comes in response to a noticeable increase in violent incidents targeting both public transport personnel and passengers.

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In the trains, passengers will in future also meet police officers with electroshock weapons (so-called Tasers).

The number of physical assaults against customer service staff has risen significantly, from 22 per month in early 2023 to 35 by March 2026. The Swiss Transport Union (SEV) has long highlighted this issue as a major concern. In response, the Federal Office of Transport (BAV) convened a round table in July to develop a national action plan aimed at improving safety.

This initiative, stemming from a 2023 motion by SVP National Councillor Michaël Buffat, also includes plans to adapt regulations for increased use of body cameras. These cameras will help monitor the deployment of Tasers and other interventions. The government is also refining the legal framework for live video surveillance in vehicles, aiming to balance security interests with privacy concerns.

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The number of physical assaults against customer service staff has risen from 22 per month between early 2023 and March 2026 to 35.

Guidelines will specify routes and times where enhanced security measures are most needed. Live surveillance can be activated upon a passenger's request for assistance. The use of body cameras, real-time video surveillance, and AI for data analysis is proposed for a five-year trial period, as recommended by the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). The Taser, considered a non-lethal weapon, functions by delivering short electrical impulses to temporarily incapacitate an aggressor.

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The Federal Council is adapting the relevant ordinances accordingly, as it announced on Monday.