A human rights lawyer fears the move to arm all police with tasers is the next step towards introducing guns to the frontline.
Sergeant Darrin Putt demonstrates the use of a taser. Photo: RNZ / Samuel White
Until now, the police have only had access to tasers from a lockbox in patrol cars. It was announced today that they will now be carried by frontline officers at all times.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush, who made the announcement this morning, said the change was backed by research gathered since the taser was rolled out in March 2010.
It means tasers can be carried at all times, while on duty, by appropriately trained police officers. There are about 5500 staff trained as so-called level one responders at present.
Between 2010 and 2014, the police say tasers were used just over 4000 times - resulting in 47 injuries. They have been taken to about 30,000 incidents since 2010.
Mr Bush said he believed now was the right time for the change, given overwhelming evidence and feedback from frontline staff of the taser's effectiveness in ensuring staff and public safety.
Police Minister Michael Woodhouse said tasers were an effective tactical option in high-risk situations, with a low risk of injury to the public, offenders and police staff.
Police Association President Greg O'Connor (left) and Police Commissioner Mike Bush. Photo: RNZ / Samuel White
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the move was courageous and timely, and acknowledged the realities of modern policing.
About 600 additional tasers will be purchased as a result of the new policy.
Mr O'Connor said the decision recognised that being able to avoid physically engaging with violent offenders reduces the risk for both staff and those they are trying to restrain.
The association will work with the police and its members to reiterate that tasers continue to be used responsibly and sparingly, he said.
Mr O'Connor also referred to a recent survey that found 73 percent of New Zealanders agreed that police officers should be allowed to carry tasers at all times.
Concern taser policy 'step towards guns'
Human rights lawyer Michael Kidd represented Auckland man Jimmy Taua, who was tasered after police were called to his house because of a loud stereo.
He said his client was tasered three or four times and was lucky to be alive.
"In that particular case, there was a gross police overreaction to a noisy stereo - and, I mean, I'm seeing this all the time, that police are actually provoking a lot of reactions from people by their tactics," he said.
"If you're going to arm every police officer with a taser, then you're going to get inordinate potential for problems."
Mr Kidd said there were several examples of police using tasers to excess.
"They're vigourously trained but occasionally - you see it in courts - the police step out of line because they're human beings and they make mistakes, and that's the difficulty I have," he said.
"The other issue of course is the next step is to arm all police with revolvers or whatever. I don't see crime escalating to the extent in New Zealand where that's necessary."
The roll-out of the new policy begins today though it could be weeks or even months before all frontline officers are carrying tasers.
