Police Produce Misleading Statements on Tasers

Campaign Against the Taser

www.campaignagainstthetaser.com

27 June 2006

Media Release:

Police produce a “woeful mix of misleading statements” on tasers

A Campaign Against The Taser.com report of police statements about the proposed taser stun gun trial in September shows “a woeful mix of misleading statements and unsupported assurances.”

Campaign Against The Taser.com has completed a comparison between police public statements and their internal policies regarding taser use. (This is attached below)

“A clear pattern emerges from our comparison,” says Campaign Against The Taser.com spokesperson Marie Dyhrberg, barrister. “The Campaign Against The Taser.com’s report shows that internal police documents are frank about how the taser will be used while the public comments are intentionally misleading.”

Ms Dyhrberg said it appeared that statements were designed to disarm public concern rather than provide accurate, honest information.

“Targeting the public with misleading spin is unacceptable and irresponsible,” said Ms Dyhrberg.

“The taser has been trialled elsewhere and found to be lethal. More than 180 people have now died in North America as a result of being tasered including 5 people just this month. We don’t want such a dangerous weapon introduced here on the back of a carefully orchestrated campaign of misleading information from the police,” she said.

Campaign Against The Taser.com has sent the comparison to the Minister of Police and we are seeking the opportunity to meet with her in the next month.

ENDS

Internal v Public Police Statements on Tasers

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