News location:

Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Green light for tasers

ACT’s frontline police officers will now be allowed to use tasers to de-escalate violent situations.

From August 22, 15 tasers will be issued to trained police sergeants only, making ACT police the sixth State or Territory in Australia to be equipped with the devices.

Tasers were introduced to the ACT in 2004, for specialist-trained tactical officers. The recommendation to issue tasers to senior general duties follows a four-month review by ACT Policing.

Chief police officer for the ACT Roman Quaedvlieg said 15 units was appropriate, enabling officers to better protect themselves, their team members and the community.

“Tasers have become a legitimate use-of-force option for police to de-escalate violent situations, and can be vital in ensuring our officers are safe while conducting their frontline duties,” he said.

“A review has been completed and there are clear operational benefits which include a high-deterrence factor against violence, immediate incapacitation in threatening situations, the ability to deploy a taser at a safe distance and the safety of our officers as well as the public.”

Sergeants must complete international-standard training before they are equipped with a taser. And all police officers will receive familiarisation training to ensure they can provide appropriate support in the event a taser is deployed.

ACT Policing currently has 46 tasers: 34 issued to specialist response and security (SRS) and 12 for training purposes.

“The additional tasers will be in the hands of highly-experienced and trained officers who are accustomed to using their professional judgment to ascertain the best use-of-force options,” Chief Police Officer Quaedvlieg said.

The implementation of the additional tasers will be reviewed by the AFP’s Operational Safety Committee.

 

 

Who can be trusted?

In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.

If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.

Become a supporter

Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Share this

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Follow us on Instagram @canberracitynews