NCJ Number
225498
Date Published
November 2008
Length
114 pages
Annotation
Findings and recommendations are presented to Parliament and the community from a recent investigation into the use of taser weapons by members of the New South Wales Police Force.
Abstract
The evidence suggests that use of tasers by the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force specialist units to manage high risk incidents has been operating reasonably well, and tasers appear to have been a useful option for officers in the specialist units to achieve effective resolution of dangerous and high risk matters. It appears that in most of the incidents where the specialist units used tasers, they were used in a reasonable manner, and an effective resolution to the incident was achieved. However, as a result of these findings several notations were made: (1) a number of inadequacies were identified in the clarity and comprehensiveness of the policies governing police use of tasers; (2) lack of comprehensive information about all incidents where tasers were used; (3) inconsistencies found in information provided by police; and (4) inability to independently verify the information provided to police. The risks of using tasers were found to be far higher when used by general duties officers compared to specialist units. Recommendations were presented in the areas of education and training, standard operating procedures, and accountability mechanisms. Tasers are designed to administer an electric shock on contact. When used, such weapons are intended to cause the incapacitation and/or submission of a person. Tasers have inbuilt accountability measures so that their use can be monitored and reviewed. Tasers were provided to the NSW Police Force Tactical Operations Unit and the State Protection Support Units in 2002, and in 2007, an investigation commenced into the NSW Police Force use of tasers. The purpose of the investigation was to review a significant amount of material about use of tasers by police overseas and within Australia (not in response to a complaint made about use of tasers). Figures, tables, and endnotes