Readers' Views: Stun guns

Taser stun gun. Picture supplied by manufacturer

New Zealand Police will conduct a 12-month trial of the Taser stun gun starting in September in Auckland and Wellington. If approved, the Taser could become standard issue for frontline staff in selected districts. The Taser - which fires up to 50,000 volts into its victim - is a potentially lethal and unnecessary weapon that police officers could use and abuse as a compliance tool, say opponents.

This Readers' Views page is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Having watched an article on TV3 regarding the Taser, i am concerned at it's introduction. The proponents argue that it will help subdue rampaging criminals, but in all the video of it's use, I only saw people who were not presenting any threat to the officers other than to not immediately obey their commands. One woman was Tasered for talking on a cellphone! What was she going to do - beat the officer with it? Given the recent widespread publicity over a person being peppersprayed while on the ground, I would like to see some evidence of the Taser being used in the manner prescribed by it's supporters. Because at the moment it appears to be nothing more than a torture and punishment mechanism by officers who have lost their authority.
- Neill Reid

To be 'stunned' with a Taser must surely be less devastating than being shot with a bullet? And as there is no physical contact, surely the user must be able to have better control - instead of clubbing someone to death by accident with a baton? To lessen the means by which to control violence and crime, is to increase the its acceptance and tolerance levels, leading to an increase in evil in the community. What is wrong with this country? Look at Singapore - surely we should look up and learn from already working examples.
- Dion

The Taser gives police an intermediate step in subduing violent offenders which is good as the last thing we want is an increse in firearms in nz. It will, as always be up to individual officers to handle the responsibility and they will be measured by that ability. In terms of society it treats the effect and not the cause. Maybe animal tranquliser darts are next? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
- Matthew

If Constable A had been in possesion of a Taser in Hawera that morning then Steven Wallace would probably still be alive. The Taser will give Police the ability to restrain violent offenders without resorting to firearms which has to be a positive. Also, 100 people turned up to meeting against Tasers; how many people didn't go beacuse they have no objections to them.
- Oliver Harper

Its about time the NZ police have Tasers. Long overdue me thinks. Here in LA where I now call home, I read the paper daily. On average there are 2-3 homicides a day. A lot are drug related or home invasions or just plain out and out drive-by shootings. LA police don't muck around. If you even look like you are going to present a weapon to them, they will shoot to kill using their sidearm. Since they started using Tasers, fatal shootings dropped over 75%. Yes, one or two people have had heart attacks, but the percentages of lives saved can't be ignored. (both victim and offender) I look at NZ now, and see how the "P" epidemic has grown and out of control, and if carrying Tasers saves a policemans and victims life from a crazed individual, good on them.
- Johnny Ruawhare

Clearly the Taser can be misused. Clearly the police need to be able to subdue criminals with MINIMUM force. So there are clear arguments for and against. But what do Tasers cost? Is this the most cost effective solution? Who will control and sanction their use on the streets? Will they be subject to the same regulation as firearms? My personal experience leads me to believe that arming police is a bad idea, and employing more British police is an even worse idea.
- Mark

Brilliant! About time NZ police recieved tools to combat our ever increasing violent criminals. People should have respect for the Police and when told to stop they should realise that if they dont obey officers they will be forcefully stopped. It is fine for people to live free democratic lives but when that effects others in a negative way then thats not ok. Tasers will hopefully stem this tide of "I have the right to do what i want, when i want, to whoever i want" PC nonsense.
- Dave

For all those "Academics" out there who would have the Police not introduce Tasers... We could always have the Armed Offenders squad come out to handle a fugitive threatening perhaps yourself or a loved one. Hmmm...Live ammunition flying around? Now that's a good idea isn't it? Come on wake up! Then of course there is such a thing a "Death by Police Shooting" suicides if you want to go down that track. How much fall out has there been in recent years when the Police have been forced into shooting a criminal? What would you rather, Bullet or a Shock?
- Anthony S

So crime in New Zealand is so bad that the police need to arm themselves with weapons, well, if the situation is so bad, guess I'll have to arm myself... should I also purchase a Taser or go straight for a gun?
- Daniel Tobler

The problem with Tasers is that we don't have an armed police force in NZ and these things are guns. They look like a gun, they fire a projectile like a gun, they drop people like a gun. Arming the police would, as elsewhere, result in many more deaths, of civilians and police officers, and I don't think we're ready for that here. There are currently plenty of alternatives to Tasers. The Police actually talk down most confrontations and where they don't, there's dogs, pepper spray and, as a last resort, the armed offenders squad.
- Peter

Gung-ho use by officers uncertain how to contain a situation can certainly be minimised with the approxpriate checks and controls similar to the (defunct?) truncheon use whereby a report was required to justify each occasion the weapon was presented. I believe cattle prodders and such like are effective in controlling four legged animals, I'm sure Tasers will be on two legged ones.
- Jennie B

Just because "overseas" uses something is not a reason to introduce it in NZ. Look overseas, they are trying, and in some cases have, banned the use of these devices. As the NZ police publically roll out each new weapon in their arsenal, it encourages a siege mentality in the criminals they are chasing. Is anyone actually surprised that the number of criminals carrying guns has increased? If Uzi submachine guns were issued to every policeman on duty, would crime rates drop or would criminals go on a gun buying spree? Our policemen put their lives on the line and should be afforded every protection, including that of common sense.
- Jim Bob

I am an ex-pat Kiwi living in the US where, of course, police officers carry guns. For them, the Taser is the final step in their "non-lethal" arsenal for subdueing a violent offender before escalating to the firearm. In that sense, it can be seen as a method by which to lessen the prospects of injury or death to the OFFENDER. By contrast, the New Zealand police officer does not routinely carry a firearm on his or her person, so a tool such as the Taser becomes their last line of defence against THEMSELVES being injured or killed in a struggle with either an armed or unarmed offender. Yes, it's use has resulted in, or has been associated with, deaths; mostly offenders with pre-existing medical conditions. Once again, however, members of New Zealand's anti-police cadre would have us place the rights of offenders above the people we depend upon to protect us from those same offenders. They seem to be saying that the risk of a single death resulting from a Taser is completely unacceptable, but injuries or deaths suffered by police officers is just "part of the job." The bottom line is, if you don't want to get Tasered, don't resist arrest when you're found hiding in someone elses back yard at 3am with gloves and a screwdriver in your pocket.
- Clay Hill

After reading the comments here & elsewhere the pro Taser side seem to think that people opposed to them want to see police be put in harms way which any normal thinking person would find obsurd, this is not what they are saying, the anti Taser side are worried about the misuse only, & with the amount of false arrests, pepper spraying already subdued or hand cuffed people etc they have a good point. There is quite a few of these instances & if it were a new product that had these errors like a car it would not make it on the market. Head patrol units already carry fire arms in the vehicle. I'm sure we all support our police but also we want to protect the innocent or helpless.
- Chris

Our society has become more violent whether you believe it or not, and being a law enforcement officer in this country is not an easy job. The introduction of Tasers will go along way to make their job safer, and hopefully our society safer. There's always an outcry when police are forced to shoot someone...did they really have to do it? Could have they subdued them? Well, now they will have another option.
- Roland

Knowing that the police have tasers will scare more offenders into submission. Taser stun guns are effective and safe. Denying the police this weapon will continue the trend which allows criminals more rights than the police.
- Matt

In response to those concerned about Tasers falling into the wrong hands I would like to add that having been attacked by a Taser-wielding man (not a police officer) in Switzerland a couple of years ago and coming out of the experience a bit bruised, battered and shocked (forgive the pun), I can say without shadow of a doubt that I'd far rather a taser fell into the wrong hands than a gun....or even a baton to be honest. Perhaps the one used on me wasn't fully "charged" but it certainly left no lasting scars or burns. Immobilising a violent offender seems to me to be the safest option for all.
- Felicity

Tasers will be open to abuse in the same way as pepper spray has been. Yes, we all want to feel safe, and the police should have the right tools for the job. But this "trial" will let any officer, not just those specially trained or armed offenders squad members, to use the taser to subdue anyone who is "actively resisting" police. That is not limited to "meth-heads" or violent scumbags, but could mean someone who is not being at all violent, eg walking away from a police officer who wants to question them. As someone who has been the victim of an illegal police search, I have little faith that ALL officers can be trusted to use this dangerous weapon. There have been many Taser-related deaths overseas and it is only a matter of time before it happens here.
- Chris

I feel that police should be allowed to use Tasers and any other tools that will help them fight the surge in violent crime. Our ridiculously over PC society seems to comedown hard on police but not the criminals. Why are we supporting criminals and not our Police? The only 100% sure way of not getting Tasered is 1- dont commit crime and 2- if confronted by the police follow their instructions and dont resist them .... simple. I would love to see Ms Dryberg and Mr Reeves confront and restrain a violent P addicted who has just committed a crime.
Im sure once they are in A&E they might just change their minds on the use of tasers.
- Lars

I'm against the introduction of Tasers. I'm not one of the supposedly namby pamby civil libertarians who cannot accept use of force by the Police, just someone who's uncomfortable with a weapon that is marketed as a less-than-lethal alternative to firearms being used, in practice, as an alternative to everything but firearms. Experience overseas has mace and OC sprays, batons, and other non-firearms responses being substituted with Tasers. That is not their intended use. If a situation warrants the use of a Taser, with the consequent risk of death, it warrants the use of a firearm.
-Matt P

An officer armed with a gun can usually be expected to think hard before using lethal force. By contrast, an officer armed with a non-lethal taser might, as has already been the case with pepper spray, use it with relative indifference to achieve compliance in a situation where lethal force would be...um…over-kill. If police truly need more tools at their disposal I would prefer them to be given guns. The mere production of one without its use can usually be guaranteed to achieve compliance. And, if the request for compliance is unreasonable, the other party will decline to comply, the officer will know his request is unreasonable and will surely not shoot. If it's a Taser he has, he probably will fire it. A case of its non-lethality proving a disadvantage and an incentive to greater use.
- Glenn

Police apprehend several thousand suspects every year, the vast majority do not require any physical intervention in effecting the arrest by the arresting officer. I'm sure that all Police officers when confronted with the decision of having to use force would prefer to use the most effective but least damaging amount of force in effecting an arrest. The Taser would give the officer a further non-lethal option that sits between pepper spray and a firearm. Tasers are not going to be used to arrest shoplifters, but rather those who pose an immediate and serious risk to themselves and/or the public. Likewise Police officers who are there to protect the public also deserve the ability to protect themselves during the process of apprehending an offender.
- Mike Cook

Why are all good law abiding people worried about the criminals? The criminals don't worry about the good people, when they steal our cars, break into our homes, drive home P'd up and drunk? Oh I just remembered criminals have more rights than police officers and poor old Dad working in the dairy all night and day. Also criminals have bad hearing thats why they don't do what they are told Like "put the axe down", "stop punching your wife". Maybe the hearing will improve with a taser aimed at them!
- Julia

Let us all keep in mind that the Police in New Zealand are among the lighest armed forces in the developed world. As police do not routinely carry firearms like is the case in Australia, Canada and the United States, I find it highly unusual that anyone would be against the introduction of a less than lethal tool to help police deal with violent offenders. I for one, would much rather see police issued with Tasers than I would routine carriage of firearms.
- Matt

Dr Rodney Harrison, QC, discusses some interesting points in his column, but sadly, like most of the members of the legal fraternity, he has "never looked an angry man in the eyes". Dr Harrison and many of his lawyer friends tend to believe what their clients tell them, which is often far removed from the reality of what actually happened. Generally OC, or pepper spray, is not particularly effective against those heavily under the influence of P and their subsequent pain threshold seems to be extremely high. If Tasers are not used, then what does he and his like-minded friends think the police should use when arresting and controlling his violent and out-of-control clients?
- D. Brazier, Tauranga

Does the Taser have a place here? After reading Dr Rodney Harrison's column, I'm totally flabbergasted by the naivety of the gentleman. Gone are the days where criminals would simply stand there and be arrested without putting up a fight. Gone are the days when it was assumed that everyone respected the presence of a uniformed officer. Criminals are better armed than the lawmen in this country, and arguably speaking, in any country. "Cruel, degrading, or disproportionately severe treatment or punishment and failure to treat a person deprived of liberty with humanity and with respect for his or her inherent dignity" - Dr Rodney Harrison, please explain that to the next officer who is laid up in the hospital with head injuries because they couldn't use the Taser to stop someone from doing the cricket ball shuffle on their head. Because maybe the time has come for our frontline officers to be armed, with something else besides politeness. Does the Taser have a place here? That question is answered with a resounding "Yes!" And it's time that the police, in particular the frontline officers, be given the right tools to do their jobs and stop the quibbling that goes with every move that doesn't spell out politeness and courtesy.
- Don Bludau, Auckland City

No pun intended, but all power (50,000 volts actually) to the police on the acquisition of the Taser device. Despite the apparent opposition from some quarters, when all is said and done is it not the function of the police to "charge" offenders?
- Murray H. Pirret, Waitakere City

I have not heard a convincing case from the police to justify their trial of the Taser guns. How many police officers are assaulted a year? Of policemen and women what percentage are hospitalised as a result? How many assailants are prosecuted and how many are convicted? How many incidents of reasonable force where it takes more than two officers to subdue a person arrested? How many incidents a year are armed offenders squads called out to and how often do they need to use their firearms?Just to give us a comparison of the actual need out there.
- M. Mildon, Hamilton

I have no problem with tasers... If they are used correctly. The police have pepper sprayed handcuffed and subdued people with no good reason. How long before the stories come out about people being tasered in the same circumstances, with potentially lethal results?
- Nick

I support the introduction of Tasers. The police regularly put their lives and well-being on the line to keep the rest of us safe. I know I am glad to live in such a civilised world. Tasers will make life safer for both the police and law-abiding citizens. Driving is not banned for all of us, just because some of us drink and drive. Similarly, tools such as the Taser should not be banned for fear of unjust use by a minority of police.
- Matthew Brown

Unfortunately opponents of the Taser would like to believe that we live in a safe society. We don't. There are people out there who do not care how badly they hurt someone and who will show absolutely no remorse afterwards. All thanks to the people who serve in the front lines of the NZ Police who put their own safety at risk to prevent harm from occurring to members of our public. Lets give them the tools to be able to carry out their jobs efficiently and effectively. If that means that a violent offender needs to get Tasered to prevent harm to anyone ...including themselves, so be it.
- Carolyn

I can see where both sides of the argument come from. On the one hand are the police who wish for a way to incapacitate violent offenders without undue risk to police, public, victim or offender. On the other are various groups who see it as a dangerous tool that could be too easily abused, or could cause accidental injury or even death to the target. However, it seems to me that if people insist on breaking the law, and of behaving in a violent manner towards those tasked with upholding it then they should no longer have a voice to complain about the use of necessary means. Instead of focussing on the dangers of the Taser, groups opposed to its use should divert their attentions into creating a society in which its use is unnecessary.
- Matt

I'm against the introduction of Tasers as I don't think ALL police can be trusted with them. Most of us have seen footage of police officers using pepper spray inappropriately. Evidence suggests that Tasers would be used inappropriately as well.
- Andrew

Our Police force needs to have the ability to deal with those in society intent on harming others and also to protect themselves. I support the use of Taser guns by trained police officers so long as there are checks in place such as those involved for firearms used by Police Officers.
- Debbie

There is no logical reason for stopping this. People who would fall 'victim' to this are only doing so because the are unwilling to surrender after being demanded to do so. If people are not willing to obey police commands after having been identified as someone to aprehend, they deserve a good tazering.
It could save lives, and improve the work environment of the police force and make them more effective in dealing with dangerous situations.
- Dennis

Objections to the introduction of Tasers is absurd. Before people object, perhaps they should step in to the front line and try and restrain a violent offender with words. If it were my job, I would want every tool available to protect me, my colleagues and the public. If people fail to comply with police requests then they invite the use of necessary force.
- Peter

"Tasers have no place in society" cry the opponents. Neither do Meth-heads off their brain who cannot be subdued with pepper spray. If Tasers subdue violent offenders with little risk, then the Police should have them. The alternative is to what...? The opponents have little alternatives to suggest, apart from, by their silence, suggest just let the police stand and take a hiding against an irrational & uncontrollable offender, or let the offender run amok?
- Martin