9. Dr CAM CALDER (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Has she received any progress reports on the roll-out of Tasers to New Zealand police officers?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
Yes. I am very pleased to report excellent progress since the Government’s decision in the last Budget to fund this $10 million project. The police now have 733 Tasers, which have been distributed to police districts throughout the country. Training is under way, and by June 3,500 of our officers will know how to use Tasers. Trials carried out by the police over the past year are already proving the worth of Tasers. In most cases, just the prospect of receiving a 50,000 volt electric shock has been enough to bring volatile situations quickly under control, therefore saving lives.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Since the trial began last year, the police have introduced and maintained a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme. This involves the reporting of all use of force, regular audit processes, the conducting of a medical examination of any person who has been Tasered, and an independent review of those medical reports. I am very pleased that the police have another non-lethal option in their tool kit. My Government is serious about making sure that the police have the right tools to do their job safely and effectively.