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Monday, 12 May 2008

NSW won't ban tasers, despite deaths

Edwina Bartholomew

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Taser gun | Getty Images

26/12/2007 5:53:00 PM.

New South Wales police will continue to use taser stun guns, despite concerns they could kill people.

At least 150 deaths have been linked to stun guns worldwide.

Around 50 tasers have been distributed across specialist units including the riot squad, each weapon delivers a 50,000-volt electrical shock.

Premier Morris Iemma has welcomed a review by the ombudsman to determine if the weapons are too dangerous but says so far there have been no incidents.

Several men have been killed by tasers in the United States, prompting the NSW Ombudsman to review its safety.

Police Minister David Campbell says they're issued to only specialist units like the riot squad and have so far been a successful tool.

“Traditionally guns with bullets have been an issue, tasering is an emerging technology used overseas, and is used to limit the extent of serious situations in NSW.”

Premier Morris Iemma said his government would not ban tasers, but was willing to examine an recommendations from the Ombudsman.

“We just believe in this very simple proposition, and that is this: to equip the police with the powers, the resources and the equipment they need to do their job, and that’s what we’re doing,” Mr Iemma said.

“But the Ombudsman in entitled do his review, and we will certainly consider any report that he produces very carefully.”

But George Hately  who trains police and the military how to use Tasers, has told 2GB’s Jim Ball, those deaths cant be attributed to the weapon at all.

“At this stage, there’s no evidence or facts, that lead to a direct result of death, by taser, in the world.”

 

 

Comments

Wednesday, 26 December 2007

The NSW Ombudsman should attend all violent incidents and offer to help subdue any offender and then there will not be any need for a taser.

Posted by: james stack,

 

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