Taser trial ongoing

Taser. The operational trial of the Taser will continue until midnight on 31 August 2007, when the device will be withdrawn from service pending a full evaluation by the end of November this year.

As at 29 January, the Taser had been deployed a total of 59 times, including six discharges.

The trial involves 200 staff and is taking place in the Waitematā, Auckland City, Counties/Manukau and Wellington districts.

In late December last year, an interim report of the trial’s first three months – 1 September to 30 November 2006 – was presented to the Police Executive.

During the period, 31 Taser deployments were reported which involved the following:

22 presentation (including ‘laser painting’)
4 discharge
5 ‘deholstering’ (a precautionary measure only and not a mandatory reporting requirement).

Domestic violence and self-harm incidents involving weapons were common occurrences where the Taser was deployed, and residential properties the most common location.

In 21 incidents, firearms, bludgeon and stabbing/cutting weapons were present or used. In four cases, staff were threatened by the subject with a weapon, and in one case the subject used a weapon.

Of the 31 subjects involved in incidents, all were male and of Mäori (9), Caucasian (8) and Pacific Island (11) ethnicity, primarily aged between 25-29.

In 15 instances, it was confirmed that alcohol, ‘P’ and/or cannabis was used by the subject involved.

In 10 cases, weapons were used by the subject to threaten the victim/complainant and/or others, and in eight cases, subject weapons were used to assault the victim/complainant and/or others.

At 18 of the 31 incidents, one or more other tactical options were reported as being deployed, including: OC Spray, dogs, baton, firearm, empty hand, vehicle and air support.

The officer in charge of the trial, Superintendent John Rivers, PNHQ, says while it’s early days, the results to date have been pleasing.

“The decisions made by staff deploying the Taser operationally have exhibited a high degree of sound judgement and professionalism,” says John.

“Issues we must continue to look closely at include access to Tasers when unassuming incidents quickly turn to the assaultive range.

“Deployments to date have shown the ability to rapidly resolve incidents without staff injury and improved confidence made possible by the increased distance between staff and the subject.”

All people subject to discharge of the Taser undergo mandatory medical examinations. Medical examination reports are then reviewed by members of the Medical Advisory Group chaired by Doctor Peter Robinson.