Kia Ora,
Today we have the head of the NZ Police Association arguing not only for every frontline NZ Police officer to have a taser on them. He is also arguing, quite rightly, that the rules governing their use need to be made more realistic.
It appears the rules have been written by the same people who came up with the Corrections services policy on body armour/stab vests.
It is also the mentality I get when people question why I wear body armour to events such as childrens shows.
No good waiting for the threat to be there & then say "stop there mate I have to go get my body armour on." It just doesn't happen. When the threat appears, it is at the most unlikely times.
In NZ & in particular the NZ Security industry as well as with bureaucrats what they need to learn is to plan for the worst case scenario. In fact it is an OSH requirement, but it is not the NZ mindset. It is more, let it happen then have four investigations & blame those involved.
Instead it appears they have the police, whilst assaults go up against them,leave their tasers in vehilces until the situation requires it. No common sense used there!
Although I don't think NZ needs to go where the first advert does with buying a taser (in pink even) online.
Bureaucrats need to realize that though it may cost in the first instance, having all Corrections officers in vests or all officers wearing their tasers would in the long run cut the costs involved with inquiries or injuries that could of been prevented.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Showing posts with label tasers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tasers. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
