Jacinda
ARDERN
Police Spokesperson
12 June 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
Taser recommendations must be taken seriously
The police must take seriously the findings of a report into the excessive use of a Taser by a Whakatane police officer
and act on them, Labour’s Police spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says.
“The Independent Police Complaints Authority found that while the officer in question used his OC spray appropriately
when trying to detain someone who was resisting arrest, ‘the subsequent force was unjustified’.
“The camera attached to the Taser showed it was used on two occasions, something that that the IPCA found ‘amounted to
an excessive use of force’. The IPCA subsequently recommended that Police take disciplinary action.
“While the Police have accepted the use of the Taser did not meet their standards they have claimed the process was
dealt with at the time and have chosen not to revisit the issue or discipline the officer.
“That is a less than adequate response.
“The IPCA often takes some time to properly consider a case. To use the delay as an excuse for doing nothing is not good
enough.
“Either the Government needs to ensure that the IPCA is able to complete cases in a more timely manner, or there needs
to be some acknowledgement by the Police that employment matters will need to be revisited when a report such as this is
released.
“Tasers were introduced amidst much controversy.
“The Police must ensure the public can have confidence that they are being used appropriately, and that action is being
taken when they are not.”