Worsening Police Safety Sees Call for Tasers

New Zealand First wants Police Officers to be issued with tasers after an Official Information Act request revealed Police suffered from 1,656 injuries in 2013/14 at a cost to Police of over $2 million.

“Even then it is hard not to disagree with the Police Association’s Greg O’Connor who says the Police brass are covering up how bad it really is,” says Ron Mark, New Zealand First’s Police Spokesperson.

“Since 1 February the Police Association has recorded 33 assaults out 40 incidents or, as I heard Mr O’Connor say, ‘one assault every two days’.

“There has been a definite shift in society that goes beyond drunks or those drugged up to eyeballs. There’s an element in society who view the Police as sport and when it comes to pursuits, know they can get away with it.

“New Zealand First’s concerns are with frontline officers and that is why we want them to have all the tools they can. This is why we support every officer in New Zealand being issued with a taser.

“To us the benefits to officer safety are significant and worthwhile,” Mr Mark concluded.

ENDS

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