Superintendent John Rivers says strict guidelines are in force for using the Taser. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Superintendent John Rivers says strict guidelines are in force for using the Taser. Photo / Mark Mitchell
KEY POINTS:
A dog that charged police has become the first animal to be shot by the Taser stun gun.
The pitbull, which had been pepper sprayed twice, was shot after its owner refused to control it.
Police statistics show 56 incidents involving the Taser since the trial began lastSeptember.
Of the eight cases in which Tasers were actually fired, seven have been at people and one at the dog, which stopped attacking after being hit by the weapon's probes.
The most recent case happened on Monday when a gang member with schizophrenia went to a house and stabbed a man in the chest.
Details of the latest incident were released on the same day the Auckland District Law Society's public issues committee released a report titled "Less Lethal?"
The report said less than 1 per cent of information collected by police on Taser use had been made public.
It also raised concerns about the lack of policy on multiple firings, saying some United States police departments found it unacceptable to fire more than once.
Other recommendations included:
* A pressing need for detailed guidelines on when, in what circumstances and by whom Tasers can be used.
* Only using the Taser in situations similar to those where a firearm would be considered appropriate.
* More consultation with the public and involved parties such as lawyers and medical professionals.
* The final decision on continuing use to be made by an independent body, possibly the commission of inquiry into police conduct.
The report prompted renewed calls from opponents for the trial to be abandoned and the weapon withdrawn.
However, police say it is unlikely the trial will be abandoned.
Superintendent John Rivers, the officer in charge of the trial, said the guidelines for using the Taser were "restrictive" and police were not being casual in their approach.
Taser used on:
* A pitbull after its owner refused to control it.
* A suicidal man who had breached a protection order.
* An armed man who had said he wanted to "take out a cop".
* A schizophrenic gang member who stabbed a man in the chest.
