Tasers do a job without firing shot

There was no shortage of controversy around the introduction of Tasers before they were rolled out to police nationwide in March last year.

Despite assurances that there would be strict protocols to be followed before a Taser was deployed, there were concerns that their use was simply another step on the slippery slope towards full-time arming of our police force.

But, as figures released to the Wanganui Chronicle under the Official Information Act reveal, in Wanganui at least, the Tasers have been serving their purpose as a deterrent - without ever actually needing to be fired.

Locally, police have presented a Taser 13 times since their introduction, and on all of those occasions, the mere presence of the Taser has been enough to diffuse the situation.

The view that our police do not need increased access to items such as Tasers, and in some cases firearms, in order to protect themselves and others while on the job, is an outdated one which has been overtaken by societal change.

We live in an increasingly violent world. Arguments around crime statistics can not disguise the fact that unfortunately, violence now plays a much more prominent role in our society, be it violence on our TV and movie screens, schoolyard bullying, or common street thuggery.

But these figures show that the Tasers are working well.

While there will inevitably be times that police do have to fire the weapon, there can be no doubt that they prefer not to, and will be pleased at its impact as a deterrent.

How nice it is to finally see some good news for the McGregor family.

Earlier this year, the family was in the spotlight as Feilding man Dean Mulligan went on trial for the murder of Marice McGregor, whose body was found in a ravine north of Wanganui last year.

Mulligan was found guilty, and is currently serving a term of life imprisonment.

On Wednesday, the McGregor family returned to the Wanganui court complex, this time under much happier circumstances, as Ms McGregor's brother Rowan and his wife Rosemary watched their daughter Nicola being admitted to the bar.

While nothing will bring Ms McGregor back, Wednesday's ceremony hopefully provided a bright spot for a family which has been forced to endure the most horrific set of circumstances over the past 18 months.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz