The " Taser " question !

Ombudsman Bruce Barbour has expressed reservations about the $1 million roll out of Taser guns to New South Wales police.

The original benefit was that Tasers offered an alternative to the use of deadly force. They would only be used where circumstances warranted an office drawing his service weapon and firing it.

In such circumstances a Taser would temporarily disable a suspect and allow the placement of restraints.

It was argued that the discharge of electricity by a Taser would not seriously harm an adult person in good physical condition, wheras a police bullet would inflict at least serious injury and in many instances - death !

Originally, Tasers were issued in limited numbers and were only to be used by senior police who had undertaken specialist training in their use.

This imposed limitations. Deadly force situations occurred without warning and the first police on the scene were required to handle it. There would be delay problems trying to contact senior police, waiting while a Taser was collected from a police station and transported to the action scene.

It is now proposed that Tasers be a weapon issued to all front line officers and that they undergo special training in their use.

There is a question about their safety. Whilst they pose no risk to a person in good physical condition there have been instances of harm overseas when they have been used on people with heart problems, pacemakers or other debilitating medical conditions.

The Ombudsman is concerned that once issued Tasers will quickly become the weapon of choice when it comes to arrest situations that would not normally involve firearms.

Policing is a risky business. In particular, offenders affected by " Ice " pose special problems. They are extremely aggressive and are less responsive to pain - and have enhanced strength as a side effect of this drug.

Tackling them with batons and capsicum spray usually involves close combat and there is always the risk of infection. Offenders may be suffering AIDS or similar diseases and these can be transmitted from one person to another by way of a bite or transfer of blood.

The Ombudsman warns that there is the risk of Tasers being deployed outside the guidelines - with the police culture manipulating the arrest circumstances to justify their use.

There is reason on both sides of this argument. If the general roll out is to continue it is essential that all officers receive intensive training on their use - and there be rigid rules on how and when they can be used.

It is also essential that the firing of a Taser be subjected to the same enquiry that follows the discharging of a police firearm.

Unless this is done - we will get the worst of both worlds !