Canterbury District has been allocated 76 Taser units across the District. 356 `first response' staff in Canterbury will be trained as Taser 'Operators' over the next couple of months. These will cover all rural and urban areas. In total 3500 police staff around the country will be trained. Taser operators must undergo training and certification annually.
Sergeant Craig Scott, Canterbury District Taser Coordinator, says the deployment of the Taser units will be controlled through national guidelines covering the use, security, storage and procedures. Tasers will be available for trained operators to use in situations of arrest, self defence (or defence of others), prevention of escape and to deter vicious animals.
"Only front line responder staff will be trained initially, then there will be subsequent training to cover new staff," says Sergeant Scott. "As soon as they complete their training, officers will be eligible to be issued a taser. All training should be completed by late May 2010."
Each taser will be issued to trained staff as they come on duty and locked in a special safe in patrol cars. Tasers will not be routinely carried by officers while on duty.
"Each taser has a video and audio recorder on board to record each time it is used. This information will be retained for evidential purposes as well as training, and ensuring the taser has been used in accordance with standard procedures and appropriately. This will also provide additional public assurance." says Sergeant Scott. "When someone is tasered they are monitored by Police until they are seen by a Police doctor. In cases when urgent medical attention is required the person will be taken to the nearest A&E."
An independent medical advisory group will monitor all medical reports from the use of taser.
Tasers will not replace pepper spray or firearms but each will be deployed as an officer deems appropriate to a situation.
During 2009 Police reintroduced tasers in the Auckland and Wellington Police districts. Over the year tasers were deployed a total of 132 occasions. In 92% of these occasions the incident was de-escalated without the need to discharge the taser. In total, there were only 10 taser discharges for the entire year
Taser Training presentations by Sergeant Scott.
Note; there will be no demonstration of a taser being used. Media will see a taser and a video of it being deployed.
Christchurch Media; Thursday 11 February, 10am, Christchurch Central