Interesting discussion. Surprised that so many think that tasers are an indispensable part of the police arsenal. How did they survive without them?

From what I've seen the use of the taser is frequently brutal and unnecessary and police that misuse it ought to be tried and suffer legal penalties.

the use of the taser is frequently brutal and unnecessary
GrahamY,
I'm with you on that one. Antisocial & criminal behaviour is too. It's everyone's choice, don't you think ?

there hasn't been anywhere near enough independent, objective research into taser safety
Kellie Tranter,
How about the criminals & those who think themselves in charge of the deranged doing some independent, objective research into criminal behaviour ?
We could do away with Tasers if they could find a way to stop people behaving badly.

Graham,

I don't think any particular tool of restraint or control (baton, gun, etc) is indispensable. They all have their place, uses, and misuses.

The taser as a non lethal substitute for a gun has the ability to save lives. The misuse of the taser, as with the baton and gun needs to be carefully reviewed and punished if excessive.

If tackling a potentially armed suspect, what is the alternative, a gun?

SHADOW MINISTER...

From where I sit you speak an awful lot of good common sense, as does INDIVIDUAL.

A Taser, is just another 'force option' available to police. Like all equipment issued for the purpose of either, restraint or self defence, it's occasionally subject to misuse and sometimes, unlawful use.

Police have no authority to excercise force at all, unless and until it can be justified, and justified in a court of law.

It can be very very hard to control your emotions sometimes, after having some peanut, just spit in your face, or similar. If you do experience difficulty in 'keeping your hands in your pocket' (figuratively speaking) and this type of behaviour really enrages you, the police force as a career, is not for you.

There have been some Magistrates in NSW who've dismissed 'the information' that the 'F' and 'C' words have been directed at police. Claiming, these words are in common use today, police should not be offended by their use.

Yet, I've seen a SM gaol some bloke (contempt) for simply saying 'the word' in their Court ? Seems the Judiciary can be offended, but not police ! - perhaps they, the police are not human, and not deserving of any respect.

I'm just so glad I've retired. I don't believe I could ever resume GD's (uniform) again, the streets have changed so much, since I was paddling around 'em. And so have the Courts with respect to the old reliable statutes, that so effectively regulated even controlled, street offences.

Most of the good laws that previously protected the public; permitted most people to walk the streets with reasonably safety, have been repealed ? All in the name of people's freedoms and because we're supposed to be a more enlightened society ?

I just wish they'd tell the crooks ?

Cheers...Sung Wu