Police being armed with tasers - you for or against?

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nate

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#18227 2-Jan-2008 23:56

Let me begin by saying that I'm completely for tasers. I believe they offer a non lethal way of subduing a suspect, without putting a officer at risk of personal injury. I do see some interesting issues with what One News has covered:

But Edward Savai'i says he was tasered twice during a domestic dispute in November 2006 and it left lasting marks on his lawn and his health. "I still have chest pains, cramps, I have stomach pain, and I also have a sore lower back," says Savai'i.

Give me a break! If the cops have to taser you during a domestic dispute I think you've got more to worry about that your lawn. Maybe you should have thought about a more peaceful resolution to your dispute?

It is that sort of incident that critics say has caused deaths overseas. Marie Dyhrberg from the Campaign against the Taser says people are going to be tasered in stairwells, on tops of buildings and on concrete roads and paths.

Lets put Marie Dyhrberg out with some of the front line police in South Auckland and see what better solutions she can come up with.

There have also been cases where police have heavily outnumbered the offender but still used the taser.

Lots of cops < offender swinging a bat or other weapon

And Broad has dropped a strong hint that if police don't get tasers they may well end up fully armed.

Unfortunately with society as it is now, and with its evils (P being one) I think the cops' hands have been forced here. Tasers must win over cops have guns? I'm proud that our police don't have to be armed.

Police have already bought the stun guns at a cost of $50,000 and critics say that shows the trial is a sham.

This was a huge mistake, the cops should have held off buying the guns until the trial was complete and signed off. I wonder who pushed this through?

I'll be interested to see if tasers do come in force. If they come in, the police will need to keep a tight rein on the situations they're used in, and issue clear guidelines to officers as to their appropriate use.

Best way to avoid being tasered? Stop being a clown and follow the law like the rest of us.

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#102625 3-Jan-2008 00:15

Personally I do have a problem with front line cops having tasers at their disposal. The opportunity exists, as it does with guns, to miss use them, in much the same way where a man in Candia died, which was directly linked to the unnecessary use of tasers.

I do not however have an issue with tasers being issue and used by a select group of law enforcement employees, such as the armed defenders squad (although perhaps not practical), or even a if possible a newly created dedicated task force.

So in summary, tasers for front line cops, no. I for one do not believe we need to be using these weapons in New Zealand for front line policing. Pepper spray IMO does more than enough, and these rights should be expanded to fishery officers.

Tasers for an elite task force and or the arm defenders, yes, as you say they are a better alterative than using firearms, of which the consequences have the potential of being far more serious. But as far as front line cops go, you might as well be giving them guns, as it is likely that these tools will be used out of context, and can have lasting effects.

nzbnw

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#102626 3-Jan-2008 01:00

The Police are here to do a job. The criminals are tooling up, and the Police should be as well. They should be allowed Tasers if the risk to criminals if the Police do have Tasers is shown to be less the risk to the Police+public if the Police don't have Tasers.

The NZ Police have had a lot of bad press in this country in the last ~5 years, and the bulk of it is absolutely unjustified, and fuelled by incompetent politicians on all sides. We need to gradually improve the power of our Police force, and stop coming down hard on individuals at the 'coal face', for they are men and women who are doing our dirty work, for what amounts to stuff all pay.

brucie44

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#102627 3-Jan-2008 01:24

zaaaaaaaaapppppppppppppppppppp

Are all for tazers. Even if a few accidental deaths, still better than being shot dead.

also should have a tazer to fry the electrics on cars being chased.

KiwiOverseas66

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#102640 3-Jan-2008 09:02

I'm split on this one. My brothers a cop (armed offenders, STG, etc) and anything that makes him safer doing the crappy job he has to do is ok in my books, At the same time - knowing some of my brothers mates who have been discharged from the force (and a few who are still in) - I wouldn't want them in charge of a severely shaken coke can, let alone a lethal weapon.

Where the taser has run into problems overseas is where its used as a compliance tool - i.e, if you don't follow my instructions to the letter then prepare to be electrocuted. Hence you get the situation where someone who is in a diabetic shock, non-violent, etc - is misconstrued as drunk, not following instructions....zap! Or as in the case in Canada - the guy was jet lagged, frustrated, and couldn't speak english - zap. Don't know how often this happens, but dying is a high price to pay for being exhausted and a non-english speaker.

So I guess yeah - I'm happy enough for the front line guys to have tasers - as long as the commissioner of police guarantees that anyone who users a taser for compliance, on a non-violent suspect goes to jail. Or as mentioned earlier - specialist squads, I cars, that sort of thing.

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#102641 3-Jan-2008 09:03

Are all for tazers. Even if a few accidental deaths, still better than being shot dead.

I agree. You are much more likely to survive being tazered than being shot (depending on where you are shot of course).

Although I would like the same 'seriousness and caution' applied to them as guns. For instance, every instance of them being used documented and investigated so that they are not being used unnecessarily.

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pando

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#102645 3-Jan-2008 09:20

I'm seeing a lot of police with the stabby vests now and that's all good

IMO, i'm all for tasers especially when you consider that the alternatives aren't fantastic at subduing - guns, pepper spray, or batons

I also agree with original post, domestic violence, that's not cool and being tasered twice only begs the question, one bitten twice shy???

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wmoore

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#102646 3-Jan-2008 09:20

nzbnw:

by a select group of law enforcement employees, such as the armed defenders squad
nzbnw

Can I make a correction that lots of people make....It's the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) not defenders.

Thank you.

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sbiddle

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#102647 3-Jan-2008 09:22

Both the UK and NZ are some of the last remaining Police forces in the world were regular units do not regularly carry firearms while on duty. Both are now dealing with the reality that in the 21st century you can't deal with voilent offenders, many who are armed, and not have anything to defend youself with.

The Police should have tasers and to be honest I would far prefer to be Tasered than sprayed with CS spray. That stuff is far worse for you with proven medium to long term health risks for many people, not to mention the initial 24 hours of severe pain and swollen eyes. I don't hear Marie Dyhrberg calling for that to be banned..

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#102654 3-Jan-2008 10:21

better to be hit with an electric shock than a bullet I'm for tasers

that would be an ecumenical matter

vindaloo

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#102670 3-Jan-2008 11:43

I dont have a problem with frontline staff being issued with tasers, far preferable to a Glock I would think.

Obviously there should be some very robust operational guidelines in place for when they should and shouldn't be used and equally robust (and transparent) processes for dealing with officers who use them oustide those guidelines.

But overall, I'm all for anything that helps the police protect the wider community from those idiots who think the rules dont apply to them like they do the rest of us.

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#102673 3-Jan-2008 11:57

I would rather be tasered than shot. I have no problem with the police having tasers. There are quite a few criminals out there that deserve a good tasering.

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brucie44

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#102675 3-Jan-2008 12:08

Fossie: I would rather be tasered than shot. I have no problem with the police having tasers. There are quite a few criminals out there that deserve a good tasering.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappppp

Tazer first, talk after. LOL

some well and truely deserve it.

wire one to my security door, help to move vacumn-cleaner salesmen on their way.

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#102690 3-Jan-2008 13:17

vindaloo:
Obviously there should be some very robust operational guidelines in place for when they should and shouldn't be used and equally robust (and transparent) processes for dealing with officers who use them oustide those guidelines.

Yeah, right... Like in the U.S. where they taser even grandmas on wheelchairs.

Only if police officers pass an IQ test and could tell left from right. Otherwise who puts the bells on the cat?

I understand it is a dangerous job, but I am really produ of living in a country where the police don't carry weapons.

We need a better system, education and healh.

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#102695 3-Jan-2008 13:38

I think the NZ police on the whole do an excellent job and to be honest I would be completely comfortable for them to be armed with a taser. Tasers have been shown to be very safe and are ALOT less lethal than guns.

At the end of the day, if you are going to do something that puts you in a situation where a cop is pointing a taser at you, you should expect to be tasered. New Zealand is not America, and the police force here is alot better trained, and alot less corrupt and much more capable of making informed decisions about when and where to use a device such as a taser.

Likewise with guns, like that guy with the hammer. If you are stupid enough to advance a police officer, after being told that he has a loaded weapon and to put the hammer down then you should expect to get shot. End of story. If you do not want to be shot by a cop, do not advance him with a hammer!

There is always a risk to any kind of restrainment or method of controlling an offender. Im sure there have been more people killed by a smack to the something with a a nite stick than tasers.

For the record, if there are any cops reading this: If I ever disobey a direct order from you and advance you with a weapon, you have my express permission to shoot or taser me. You would not be doing you duty (And you job) if you did not.

sleemanj

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#102698 3-Jan-2008 14:01

For, with the condition that a taser is only drawn and used when the "offender" is brandishing a weapon of some description, be it a gun, sword, knife, or hammer; or there is a clear and IMMEDIATE risk of death or SERIOUS injury to a given party such that a tasering will prevent such misfortune.

If it's just a crazy dude flailing his arms in the air, or refusing to go quietly, no dice, the cop will just have to get physical. Every use of taser would have to be fully documented and investigated as is the case with firearms.

In short, the only time you should be tasered, is when you would otherwise be shot - no if, no but, no maybe.

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