1. RON MARK (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Can she say when the Commissioner of Police will release his decision on whether to issue Tasers to front-line police; if not, why not?
Hon RICK BARKER (Acting Minister of Police) Link to this
The decision on whether to issue Tasers to front-line police is currently with the Commissioner of Police, who is giving the matter careful consideration. The commissioner’s decision will be released in due course—hopefully, within the next 2 to 3 months.
Does the Minister recall informing the House more than 7 months ago that the commissioner was “on track … to look at [the Taser] report on 14 December” last year; and can she explain what is causing the delay in the decision being made public?
The decision to issue the Taser requires due consideration, and that consideration should not be rushed. The matter is being considered by the commissioner.
Is the Minister aware of the concerns of the Police Association that police are facing more and more volatile and dangerous situations every day, and are being subjected to a record amount of serious assaults; and is she not concerned that this “due consideration”, which is causing undue delays, is putting the safety of front-line officers at unnecessary risk?
Of course, all of Parliament would be concerned about assaults and violence against police officers. The Taser matter is being considered by the Commissioner of Police, who is an independent person. He will take as long as he wishes to consider the report and report back. It is a significant report requiring due consideration, and it should not be rushed.
Simon PowerCan the Minister confirm that, as the Minister responsible for the Police budget, she would have to approve capital expenditure for the purchase of Tasers if they were to be issued to front-line police; and if the commissioner does recommend the roll-out of Tasers, will she approve that spending?
Are the police seeking further information before issuing the decision; and given that the Taser report was a collaborative effort involving New Zealand Police staff from the operations group evaluation team, the police policy group at Police National Headquarters, the staff safety tactical training team at the Royal New Zealand Police College, external research contractors—including MMResearch—the crime and justice research centre at Victoria University of Wellington, and an experienced justice sector researcher, can the Minister tell the House what more information and consultation Police National Headquarters needs?
I can indeed confirm the lengthy list the member read out, but I can also say that the inquiry is being supported by an independent medical advisory group, chaired by Peter Robinson, which will also provide advice to the police. I am not at a point to be able to say what matters it is considering, other than to say that the matter is being given careful consideration, as it should be.
Keith LockeIs the Minister concerned at the introduction of the Taser, when people are dying regularly in North America because of it—most notably, the chap who was Tasered at Vancouver airport, but also the six people who died in 1 week late last year in North America—and in view of the fact that a UN commissioner has declared the Taser a weapon of torture that goes against the UN convention against torture, which New Zealand has signed?
All the matters that the member has referred to were taken into account at the commencement of the trial. All those matters will be taken into consideration during the trial and in the conclusion.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Arising from the last question, is it a fact that many more people in North America die from bullet wounds than from Tasering, and is it not the case that more people are likely to survive a confrontation with the police if they are Tasered than if they are confronted by armed police who are capable of shooting them?
Gerry BrownleeRt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
That is the question. I will start it again, if the member likes.
Madam SPEAKERI can confirm the member’s contention that a handgun or a rifle is designed for one purpose only, which is to deliver lethal force; a Taser is not.
I seek leave to table an Amnesty International report from October 2007 about 291 people dying after Tasers were used against them.