Published Thursday, 29 March, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
QUEENSLAND POLICE TO TRIAL TASERS
Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Judy Spence MP, together with Commissioner Bob Atkinson today announced a 12 month trial of Electro Muscular Disruption Devices (Tasers).
Ms Spence said the government supported the trial, as a means of providing Queensland police with the best tools to protect the community and themselves.
“In the past 18 months there have been over 3000 assaults on police officers across the state. The prevalence of drugs such as ICE means police officers need all the options available to contain violent offenders.”
“This trial is about ensuring the safety of police and all members of the public.”
The Commissioner said tasers will be issued for use by all District Duty Officers or Regional Duty Officers in the two Brisbane and South East police regions.
“Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) officers are currently the only QPS officers provided with tasers, and the devices have been used successfully 13 times since they were introduced within SERT in 2002.
“There is now a need to trial the use of tasers among first response officers, as they are increasingly being confronted with situations that require use of force options beyond those currently available to them.”
Ms Spence said the deployment of the devices provides another option for police that may, in some circumstances, avoid the need to resort to lethal force.
“Overseas, the introduction of tasers has resulted in a decrease in the number of injuries among both offenders and police officers, and there have also been fewer complaints in regard to the use of force by police,” Ms Spence said.
Taser devices operate by transmitting an electrical current to the subject’s body which causes involuntary muscle contractions and loss of mobility, rendering the offender unable to fight or attack.
The current is transmitted either by placing the Taser directly against the person or via the firing of two barbed electrodes, each of which trails a small wire, into the subject’s body. The effect ceases as soon as the device is switched off, with minimal post-care required.
“Research indicates the injury rate from tasers for both offenders and police officers is much lower than the injury rate for other methods of force,” the Commissioner said.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission have been asked to participate in the formal evaluation of the trial.
“While tasers will not be the appropriate tool for every situation, there will be times when they are the most effective way of protecting the community, police officers and offenders from harm,” Ms Spence said.
“Research has found Oleoresin Capsicum spray does not always have an effect on offenders under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”
“This 12 month taser trial will provide us with the opportunity to investigate new methods for dealing with dangerous and violent offenders in these circumstances, with minimal long-term injuries to both offenders and arresting officers.”
“Tasers may become a valuable addition to the tools and methods police already have in place for dealing with extremely dangerous situations,” Ms Spence said.
The trial will begin on July 1st this year.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell (Minister’s Office) – 3239 6218/ 0408 732 491
Police Media: 3015 2444
Ms Spence said the government supported the trial, as a means of providing Queensland police with the best tools to protect the community and themselves.
“In the past 18 months there have been over 3000 assaults on police officers across the state. The prevalence of drugs such as ICE means police officers need all the options available to contain violent offenders.”
“This trial is about ensuring the safety of police and all members of the public.”
The Commissioner said tasers will be issued for use by all District Duty Officers or Regional Duty Officers in the two Brisbane and South East police regions.
“Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) officers are currently the only QPS officers provided with tasers, and the devices have been used successfully 13 times since they were introduced within SERT in 2002.
“There is now a need to trial the use of tasers among first response officers, as they are increasingly being confronted with situations that require use of force options beyond those currently available to them.”
Ms Spence said the deployment of the devices provides another option for police that may, in some circumstances, avoid the need to resort to lethal force.
“Overseas, the introduction of tasers has resulted in a decrease in the number of injuries among both offenders and police officers, and there have also been fewer complaints in regard to the use of force by police,” Ms Spence said.
Taser devices operate by transmitting an electrical current to the subject’s body which causes involuntary muscle contractions and loss of mobility, rendering the offender unable to fight or attack.
The current is transmitted either by placing the Taser directly against the person or via the firing of two barbed electrodes, each of which trails a small wire, into the subject’s body. The effect ceases as soon as the device is switched off, with minimal post-care required.
“Research indicates the injury rate from tasers for both offenders and police officers is much lower than the injury rate for other methods of force,” the Commissioner said.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission have been asked to participate in the formal evaluation of the trial.
“While tasers will not be the appropriate tool for every situation, there will be times when they are the most effective way of protecting the community, police officers and offenders from harm,” Ms Spence said.
“Research has found Oleoresin Capsicum spray does not always have an effect on offenders under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”
“This 12 month taser trial will provide us with the opportunity to investigate new methods for dealing with dangerous and violent offenders in these circumstances, with minimal long-term injuries to both offenders and arresting officers.”
“Tasers may become a valuable addition to the tools and methods police already have in place for dealing with extremely dangerous situations,” Ms Spence said.
The trial will begin on July 1st this year.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell (Minister’s Office) – 3239 6218/ 0408 732 491
Police Media: 3015 2444