7. HONE HARAWIRA (Māori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Has she been advised of the statement from Marie Dyhrberg that “the taser is increasingly being deployed against mentally disturbed individuals”; if so, what research has been undertaken about the long-term effects of Taser guns on people with mental health problems?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
I understand that Marie Dyhrberg has made such statements. I am advised by the Ministry of Health that there has not been a considerable body of research done on this issue, either here or overseas. However, it must be remembered that the Taser trial is designed to discover whether it is a useful, non-lethal alternative for police.
Would she agree that the reduction in violent offences against the police recorded in the 2006 police annual report, from 97 assaults in 1996-97 to only 84 in the 2005-06 year, is very positive; in light of this downward trend, why has it been necessary to introduce Tasers?
Any reduction in assaults on police is very encouraging indeed. However, the use of the Taser is not solely for the protection of New Zealand police. In fact, in the cases where it has been used it has been for the protection of other individuals or the individuals themselves.
What response does the Minister have to the statement made by the operational support manager of the Taser gun trial, Superintendent John Rivers, at a mediation meeting with the Māori Party that Māori and Pacific Island people are more than half of the subjects of Taser use simply because: “Māori and Pacific people have a greater propensity to commit violent crimes.”, and that that comment was not indicative of racism as “there is no racism in policing”?
I think the New Zealand Police has gone to incredible lengths in recent years to ensure that the police take a very, very good approach to people in the community, whether Pākehā, Māori, Pacific Island, Asian, or others. A lot of training and a lot of effort have gone into the police to ensure they police for the good of all New Zealanders. I think Police National Headquarters would be very disappointed if that was thought to be the view of the police. I do not believe it is. However, that is not to say that there are not individuals in the police, as there are in this Parliament, who hold different views.
Having attended that meeting, I heard that quote myself, so I will continue and ask whether the view that “Māori and Pacific people have a greater propensity to commit violent crimes.” is a standard part of police officer training; if not, what action will be taken to advise Superintendent John Rivers of this position?
Keith Locke