Published Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
$14 million committed for taser roll out and training
Police Minister Judy Spence and Commissioner Bob Atkinson today outlined the $14 million roll out strategy for conducted energy devices - commonly known as Tasers.
Ms Spence said: “Breon Enterprises Pty Ltd, the Australasia distributor for Taser International, is to be awarded the contract for the long term supply of the devices after a careful evaluation.
"In this financial year 1240 Tasers will be purchased and 2600 officers will receive initial Taser training.
“During the following financial year an additional 450 Tasers will be purchased with a further 380 obtained as the rollout continues.
"By 30 June 2009 Tasers will be available in every police district throughout the State and a significant proportion of first response officers will be trained in their use.
“By the end of 2009 there will be 5,800 officers qualified to use Tasers.
"There is no doubt Tasers will improve safety for police, offenders and the community in general.
"In the 12 month trial, up to 30 June, Tasers were used 188 times. On 82(or 44%) of those occasions, the mere presentation of a Taser resolved the situation allowing police to control a person without injury to anyone.
"Forty-four (or 23%) of incidents have involved people who were suicidal," Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said an enormous amount of planning has gone into the roll out strategy for Tasers.
Commissioner Atkinson said: "The first step will be the construction and installation where required of storage in police stations to house Tasers.
"Over the next six months we will train nearly 200 officers throughout Queensland.
"They will then become trainers themselves and will then instruct 2600 officers, spread through all police districts, on the use of Tasers.
"That training is planned for the six months from January to June 2009.
"A further 2600 officers will be trained in the second half of 2009.
"All officers who are trained in Tasers will require an annual re-qualification course so that their skills and knowledge remain up to date.
"Around 400 officers already trained in Taser use will be retrained next year so that by the end of 2009 we will have 5,800 officers qualified to use Tasers," Commissioner Atkinson said.
The Taser device has a downloadable memory that records the number of times a Taser is used and the duration of each use.
Police are enhancing a use-of-force reporting system to record and monitor all uses of Tasers. Each police region will also overview the appropriateness of every use of a Taser. Allegations of misuse or misconduct associated with the use of a Taser will be investigated by the Service’s Ethical Standards Command, overseen by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
Another issue to be dealt with is how Tasers will be carried by officers particularly in conjunction with other equipment such as radios, batons, capsicum spray, firearms and ammunition. Options such as a load bearing vest to hold equipment are being investigated to provide officers with alternatives to the current utility belt.
A Taser Evaluation Committee was established to overview the 12 month trial which concluded on 30 June 2008. It was chaired by an Assistant Commissioner with representatives from the:
* Crime and Misconduct Commission;
* Special Emergency Response Team;
* Ethical Standards and Operational Support Commands; and
* Operational Skills and Tactics Program of the QPS.
The final evaluation report is currently being compiled. It will assist the Service to identify potential risks and enhance policy, reporting and training procedures for the use of the Taser. The evaluation report will assist with the staged rollout of Tasers to first response officers across the State.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: 3239 6218 Police Media: 3015 2444
Ms Spence said: “Breon Enterprises Pty Ltd, the Australasia distributor for Taser International, is to be awarded the contract for the long term supply of the devices after a careful evaluation.
"In this financial year 1240 Tasers will be purchased and 2600 officers will receive initial Taser training.
“During the following financial year an additional 450 Tasers will be purchased with a further 380 obtained as the rollout continues.
"By 30 June 2009 Tasers will be available in every police district throughout the State and a significant proportion of first response officers will be trained in their use.
“By the end of 2009 there will be 5,800 officers qualified to use Tasers.
"There is no doubt Tasers will improve safety for police, offenders and the community in general.
"In the 12 month trial, up to 30 June, Tasers were used 188 times. On 82(or 44%) of those occasions, the mere presentation of a Taser resolved the situation allowing police to control a person without injury to anyone.
"Forty-four (or 23%) of incidents have involved people who were suicidal," Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said an enormous amount of planning has gone into the roll out strategy for Tasers.
Commissioner Atkinson said: "The first step will be the construction and installation where required of storage in police stations to house Tasers.
"Over the next six months we will train nearly 200 officers throughout Queensland.
"They will then become trainers themselves and will then instruct 2600 officers, spread through all police districts, on the use of Tasers.
"That training is planned for the six months from January to June 2009.
"A further 2600 officers will be trained in the second half of 2009.
"All officers who are trained in Tasers will require an annual re-qualification course so that their skills and knowledge remain up to date.
"Around 400 officers already trained in Taser use will be retrained next year so that by the end of 2009 we will have 5,800 officers qualified to use Tasers," Commissioner Atkinson said.
The Taser device has a downloadable memory that records the number of times a Taser is used and the duration of each use.
Police are enhancing a use-of-force reporting system to record and monitor all uses of Tasers. Each police region will also overview the appropriateness of every use of a Taser. Allegations of misuse or misconduct associated with the use of a Taser will be investigated by the Service’s Ethical Standards Command, overseen by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
Another issue to be dealt with is how Tasers will be carried by officers particularly in conjunction with other equipment such as radios, batons, capsicum spray, firearms and ammunition. Options such as a load bearing vest to hold equipment are being investigated to provide officers with alternatives to the current utility belt.
A Taser Evaluation Committee was established to overview the 12 month trial which concluded on 30 June 2008. It was chaired by an Assistant Commissioner with representatives from the:
* Crime and Misconduct Commission;
* Special Emergency Response Team;
* Ethical Standards and Operational Support Commands; and
* Operational Skills and Tactics Program of the QPS.
The final evaluation report is currently being compiled. It will assist the Service to identify potential risks and enhance policy, reporting and training procedures for the use of the Taser. The evaluation report will assist with the staged rollout of Tasers to first response officers across the State.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: 3239 6218 Police Media: 3015 2444