Taser stun-guns and armour for police

Taser electric stun gun

Police will trial the use of Taser stun-guns and have body armour to wear from mid-year.

The Taser guns are a less lethal way to apprehend violent offenders, National Manager of Police Operations Support Superintendent Tony McLeod said yesterday.

The gun would also be used against those under the influence of mood altering chemicals, such as solvents.

About 6500 frontline staff will wear the Stab-Resistant Body Armour system, for which the Police Association lobbied after slashing and stabbing assaults on police rose from two a year in 1999 to 48 in 2003.

The Tasers will be trialled in North Shore, Waitakere, Rodney, Auckland City, Counties Manakau and Wellington districts from June.

Mr McLeod said extensive research had been undertaken into the Taser's use by policing agencies in Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia.

"New Zealand police will follow the British path," he said.

The New Zealand trial will use the five-watts gun rather than the American 26 watts variety.

"The safety of the public and police staff have been the prime objectives in researching new, less lethal weapon technology," Mr McLeod said.

The vests will give officers increased protection against knives, spike weapons, syringes, bats and batons and low calibre-bullets from handguns.

- NZPA