Taser Trial Update

New Zealand Police National News Release
10:57am 2 October 2006
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=2669

In the period 1 September 2006 (when the operational trial of Tasers commenced) - 30 September 2006 there have been 13 instances involving the Taser has been drawn since the trial began on September 1.

• The taser has been discharged at one violent incident in Western Springs on 8 September 2006. The offender was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a knife and threatening to kill. Mandatory medical examination of the subject disclosed no injury of ill effects from use of Taser.• The taser has been presented and the tactic known as "laser painting" used effectively to de-escalate nine incidents. • The taser has been taken out of the holster as a preliminary, prudent precautionary measure on three occasions.

Taser Trial Update #2 - 29 September 2006

There have been two occasions since the last update (20/09/06) when the taser has been drawn. In both incidents police had been advised that the people involved were known to have access to weapons and the attending officers were authorised to carry tasers.

Wednesday 20 September - police were called to an incident in New Lynn where a woman had been threatened with a knife. The offender was located in a vehicle at a service station. The taser was momentarily taken from its holster as a precautionary measure but was not presented as the offender complied with the officer's request.

Wednesday 27 September - Police were called to an incident in Counties Manukau District where a man armed with a knife had appeared at a workplace, slashed his wrist and threatened to kill himself. The man was eventually found at his home where police, using the tactic of laser painting, safely disarmed him.

ENDS

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