Tasers. Useful or torture device?

Kia Ora,

Since their introduction to the NZ Police force, the taser has being the object of debate.

But hopefully the incident recently in Invercargill will put that to rest.

Prior to the incident the UN had asked NZ to stop using tasers as they were intruments of torture.

It is a classic case of someone sitting in an office & at most carrying out a quick visit, but not really getting to know their subject.

NZ is an extremely violent society despite it appearing nice clean & open. & it is becoming worse. Police in one city have commented on how virtually every person they arrest has a knife. Security at one bar have indicated that they find on average a knife on the floor of the bar once every two weeks.

Because of low population base spread widely it appears there is not much crime. Work security at night & you virtually hear a firearm used most nights & a reporters undercover investigating showed weapons being fired into the air to prove they worked, but nothing was reported.


But everytime the NZ police need to use their firearms which is increasing, there is upset. So there needed to be something in between the firearm & other options.

The reports of the incident in Invercargill was firearms & possible shots were involved depending on which article you read.

On arrival a brawl in process in the street & two persons approached police with weapons (baton & stick), so weapons were drawn by two officers, but it was the intervention of the third officer with a taser on one of persons refusing to stop or lay on the ground that ended the situation.

Most interesting were the comments of residents. They were sure they were about to see someone shot in their street. One went so far to say they had being anti the taser but after witnessing what happened they have changed their mind.

What was less widely reported was a second incident in Dunedin where a woman was threatening self harm & despite hours of negotiation she would not come out & was armed with a knife. Fearing for her safety, police have gained entry & used a taser to subdue her.

In both instances it would appear the best option.

In the first it was used in conjunction with firearms as back up. A fire arm once used isn't as forgiving as a taser.

& in the second it was best option for woman's & police safety. People threatening self harm find extra strength & when dealing with them it is almost certain to sustain some sort of injury if they are really determined.