Taser's future is uncertain.
Police are to consider the future of using Taser stun guns to subdue dangerous offenders as their trial period draws to a close.
The high-voltage stun guns will be withdrawn next week after a year-long trial.
A report on their effectiveness is due out by the end of
November.
Taser guns fire electrodes which deliver a 50,000 volt shock, which police said was painful but not fatal. The shock disabled those who ignored police instructions or on whom pepper spray had no effect.
Police said it allowed them to disable a dangerous person without using firearms. The guns, on trial in Auckland and Wellington since September last year, had been fired 19 times in 111 incidents by the end of last month.
Police said during those 111 incidents weapons were present or were used 78 times, including the threat of use or actual use against victims or police.
Tasers caused a national controversy when they were introduced, with lobby groups saying they would lead to deaths. However, police said staff using Tasers had an increased feeling of confidence to resolve incidents without injury.
Superintendent Tony McLeod, police national operations manager, said in the latest issue of police magazine Ten One, the guns were pointed at 99 people.
In 67 of those incidents pointing the gun or using the laser marker resolved the incident.
"A lot of the time the presence of the Taser is enough to influence behaviour without resorting to discharge of the Taser," he said.
In the 11 months to the end of July, the Taser was deployed 23 times in Auckland city, 41 times in Wellington, 27 times in the Waitemata police district and 20 times in Counties-Manukau.
Police fired the Taser five times in both Auckland and Waitemata, six times in Wellington, and three times in Counties-Manukau.
In America, dozens of people died after being hit with Tasers but the gun used was more powerful than the gun on trial in New Zealand. Medical opinion also said the deaths were from other factors, not the Taser. The guns fire electric probes into a person's body, delivering a 50,000 volt electric shock.
- NZPA
