Groups join to oppose stun guns

Sir Paul Reeves

Legal experts and medical professionals against the introduction of Taser stun guns will discuss the implications of police use of the weapons at a public meeting in Auckland tonight.

The guns, which fire barbed darts carrying a 50,000-volt shock, will be used by frontline officers and specialist police groups, such as the armed offenders squad, in a 12-month trial starting in September.

A coalition of the Human Rights Foundation, Global Peace and Justice Auckland, the Council of Trade Unions and other groups have formed the Campaign Against The Taser.

The group says the stun guns have killed 150 people overseas and wants more research done here before they are used.

Police say the decision to test the Taser was made after extensive research into its use by police in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia.

The public meeting in Ponsonby tonight will be chaired by Sir Paul Reeves and speakers will include Rodney Harrison, QC, South Auckland GP Dr Murray Hing and criminal lawyer Marie Dyhrberg.

A spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner said police had not been invited to the meeting.

Ms Dyhrberg said overseas research should be analysed and tested before the trial went ahead.

"You have to assess the research to find out what is reliable and acceptable. It's one thing to throw research around [but] it's another thing to test the validity and quality of that research."

Ms Dyhrberg said an independent inquiry should be held to examine the need for Tasers.

Police had not explained why the weapons were needed.

"There is a lot of concern about arming the police and ... mainly why they are necessary. We would like to see the Government stop the proposed trial ... New Zealanders are ... very cautious about arming the police."

* The meeting will be held at the St Columba Centre in Vermont St, Ponsonby, at 7.30.