Following a year long trial period, Commissioner Howard Broad issued a statement backing the Police Association’s request for Tasers. The Association maintained that the trial was a rousing success. As a result, law enforcement agencies have adopted the Taser stun gun.

The Taser trial period started in September 2006 in Auckland, Wellington, and Wairarapa. The trial concluded in August 2007. In December staff members reported the results directly to Mr. Broad who had the power to make the decision on his own. However, officials anticipate a ministerial statement by Police Minister Annette King to be made shortly. The statement would then provide the opportunity for comments on the decision to be made by all parties.

Commissioner Howard Broad expressed his support for the “less lethal” weapon after examining the results of the twelve-month trial period. He looks forward to improved capabilities of law enforcement officers as a result of adding Tasers to their arsenal.

The Police Association has been inundated by civilian and officials who are opposed to issuing Tasers to its officers are “ignoring the realities of modern policing.” Law enforcement’s position is that they add power to the arsenal without adding lethal consequences. The non lethal weapons are expected to improve officers’ ability to subdue violent suspects without inflicting physical injury.

The Herald reports that the United Nations Committee Against Torture has expressed concern about Tasers being used by law enforcement agencies worldwide. The Committee states that the 50,000-volt stun guns are capable of causing “extreme pain, constituted a form of torture, and … in certain cases could also cause death.”