Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons Expert Committee

The Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons Expert Committee (MILLWEC) gives independent, scientific advice to the Home Office and other government departments. It focuses on the medical implications, including risk of injury, of less-lethal weapons (for example, tasers).

MILLWEC is an expert committee, sponsored by the Home Office.

Membership

MILLWEC is currently recruiting for members and a chair.

MILLWEC’s responsibilities

MILLWEC:

  • issues independent statements on the medical effects of using specific less-lethal weapons when they’re used according to official guidance
  • gives advice on how likely it is that someone could get hurt if a specific less-lethal weapon hits a certain part of the body

The advice MILLWEC gives supports those writing policy as well as helping frontline users make decisions during operations.

MILLWEC only gives advice to UK government departments and organisations. It does not give scientific or technical advice to companies that supply equipment, nor does it carry out or commission its own research.

Terms of reference

You can read MILLWEC’s full terms of reference including more detailed information about its role in MILLWEC’s framework document.

Who MILLWEC reports to

MILLWEC is responsible to Home Office ministers. It gives them objective, evidence-based advice on medical issues related to less-lethal weapons. If a minister decides not to follow MILLWEC’s advice, the minister will first offer to speak with the Chair of MILLWEC – or someone who represents them – before making a final decision.

Vacancies

MILLWEC is recruiting for members and a chair.

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