KEY POINTS:
While the Taser stun gun is not risk-free, the likelihood of life-threatening events associated with its use is "very low", according to a police report released yesterday.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad on Thursday approved the Taser as a tactical weapon option following a year-long trial in Auckland and Wellington.
Thirty-two Tasers fitted with cameras will initially be introduced to three police districts in Wellington and Auckland.
Mr Broad yesterday released on the police website a 192-page evaluation report which concluded the trials of the Taser "appears to have been successful".
The X26 Taser that was tested fires a "shaped pulse" of electrical energy that can bring down a person in body armour, though there is a risk of head injuries from the offender's head striking surfaces after their muscles seize.
The report said that often officers only had to present the weapon to control a subject's threatening behaviour and to de-escalate a situation.
"Injuries to subjects and police officers were minor, despite the serious circumstances of incidents."
Subjects sustained expected minor injuries associated with probe wounds, and required no additional medical follow-up.
Though the public was generally accepting of Taser use, "the majority identified the potential risk of injuries or fatalities", the report said.
Many people referred to international research, particularly reports prepared by Amnesty International, which suggested there were links between Taser use and serious injury and/or death.
Another common concern was that officers might use the device inappropriately or excessively, with a related concern that certain groups, such as those with mental health issues, Maori or Pacific peoples, would be unfairly targeted.
But police taking part in the trials felt that adherence to guidelines, careful selection of staff, audits of use, mandatory reporting of Taser use, and provision of operator training could reduce potential risks such as handling and operator errors, inappropriate use, and injury to subjects, the report said.
"Officers felt that the Taser filled a gap in their options for safely dealing with these situations.
"There is the potential to realise benefits such as a reduction in firearms presentations, assaults on police officers, and injuries to subjects if Tasers were available more widely as a tactical option."
The report said 39 per cent of officers surveyed could identify no risks or disadvantages to having a Taser available to police officers. Some thought that the Taser posed no more risk than other tactical options.
The potential risks they identified were that subjects may gain control of the Taser and use it to incapacitate officers, misuse of the device, and that some officers may become over reliant on Tasers, electing to use them when firearms should be used.
- NZPA
