Media Release

For Immediate Release
26 March 2013

PITT training changes a necessary evil

Changes to Police Integrated Tactical Training (PITT) mean more than a third of constabulary police will not be trained to use firearms or Tasers, Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.

“Only those classed as Level 1 responders will be trained to use firearms and Tasers. Essentially this means those who are assigned to the ‘frontline’ in their main role,” Mr O’Connor explained.

“These staff will receive more training under the new model, and that is very welcome. The big risk in this model is around staff who are classified as Level 2 or 3 in their main role, but who are from time to time deployed into frontline positions. They will not be able to use firearms or Tasers, and this could seriously limit their ability to go to the assistance of a colleague or member of the public when the unexpected happens.

“Remember, almost all of our recent officer shootings – and we had nine in the space of around two years, with two killed, and many more ‘near misses’ – have arisen from very routine policing tasks.

“Unfortunately, in the current environment of a frozen Police budget, this is the reality we face. While the Association believes all staff should be trained, unless the Government provides some budget relief in May, focussing training resources on those staff who are most at risk is a necessary evil.”

Mr O’Connor pointed out this was a uniquely New Zealand problem.

“In almost all other countries, police carry firearms, and training in their use is just part and parcel of the job. Unfortunately, it is inevitable we will eventually suffer a tragedy in New Zealand which convinces our Police and political leadership that the time to generally arm police has come. When that time comes, all officers will have to be trained accordingly,” Mr O’Connor said.

ENDS

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