Global Studies Presentation - tasers

1. Max Fulton, Bo Seo, Stuart Colderick Global Studies Presentation - tasers

2. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers Introduction

3. INTRODUCTION The NSW Police Force has proposed a roll-out of Tasers to every police car in the state on 14th June 2009 Focus Question: Why has the NSW Government decided to issue Tasers to frontline officers in the NSW Police Force? What is public opinion of this proposal? Is it ultimately necessary / beneficial to the state? We chose Tasers as our topic because it is a current and controversial issue that will affect the NSW population.

4. Primary Research Investigation: • Interviews • Barry O’Farrell – NSW Opposition Leader • Tony Kelly – NSW Minister for Police • Peter Remfrey – NSW Police Association Secretary • Jeff Bell – Inspector and Duty Officer Chatswood Police • Survey • 45 Responses • Barker College Senior School Students • Barker College Staff Introduction

5. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers Status quo

6. Current Defence Weapons: • OC (Capsicum) Spray • Batons • Glock Pistol • 18 500 Employees in the NSW Police Force • 15 500 Officers on Duty • 3 000 Administrative Members Status Quo

7. Current Taser Usage: • Internationally: • United States, United Kingdom, France • 260 000 used by 11 500 law enforcement agencies • Australia: • WA – frontline officers have had Tasers since 2006 • NT – all officers have had Tasers since 2003 • QLD - introduced 3000 Taser units to Policemen in July 2008 • VIC, TAS, SA, ACT- restrict the use of Tasers to special tactical response unit • NSW – Used by Tactical Operations Unit since 2002, high-ranking officers were issued a taser in late 2008. Status quo

8. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers About the Taser

9. What is a Taser? • A Taser is a hand-held device that emits electricity via two wires and barbs that strike a person a Police officer want to subdue. The dart-like electrodes remain connected to the main unit by a conductive wire. • It is a conducted energy device (CED) classified as a ‘less than lethal’ weapon. • It is generally classified on a similar level as capsicum spray on the ‘use of force’ continuum but are seen as a “fairly basic item in regards to their operations” (Bell 2009) • NSW Tasers • NSW Police will be issued the X26 model of the Taser, which is the latest available Taser model. • The X26 Taser is developed and manufactured by Taser International. About the Taser

10. Function: • 50 000 volt charge that weakens to 1200 volts at time of impact • Fires up to 7.6 metre, with an effective range of 4.7m. • One shot is able to immobilise a subject for at least 10 seconds. • The X26 Taser is able to penetrate clothing up to 2 inches thick. • Drive Stun: • All Taser units have a feature which can be used as a ‘pain compliance’ technique without necessarily immobilising the person. The Taser is held against a person (not as a projectile) and does not record footage on the TASERCAM • TASERCAM: • All Taser units have an inbuilt camera, called a ‘TASERCAM’, which records video and audio footage as soon as the unit is turned on and drawn About the taser

11. Effect of a Taser • The Taser’s electrical current affects the central nervous system which results in uncontrollable muscle contraction and pain to subdue or immobilise the subject. • The most intense effects of the Taser “only last for the duration that the electricity is applied, but the subject may then have aching or tingly muscles and feel dazed, shocked, confused or lethargic.” PANSW 2009 • The X26 Taser delivers 0.0021 amps of electricity to the body where 1 or 2 volts is required to kill an average adult. About the taser

12. Taser video – TASER CO. Promotional video

13. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers The taser Proposal

14. Why has this Proposal come about? (Our first Focus Question) In addition to a number of other factors the Government believes there is a large gap in the range of defence weapons deployed for Police. Tasers would fill this gap with the guarantee of immobilising the perpetrator with a “less-than-lethal force” Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell (2009) states, “[issuing Tasers] are a part of equipping the Police with the resources required to do their job”. The taser proposal The preferred target zones and effective zones of Police weapons

15. NSW Government announced in June 2009: • $10 million will be invested to provide Taser Stun Guns to the NSW Police Force, as part of the Government’s $2.6 billion Police budget. • 1 962 Tasers will be rolled out to equip frontline Police officers with Tasers across the state. • One per patrol car (or approximately one per pair of frontline officers.) • The proposal will be executed over a period of 18 months, such that all first response Police officers will carry Tasers as part of their standard equipment by early 2011. • It will supplement current trials and in total, there will be 2241 units used by NSW Police. The taser Proposal

16. Training: • Started July 1st 2009 • All officers: • undergo eight hours training • must receive 80% or more in a written test • must renew their license annually. • Aim of training is to ensure that officers know: • How to use a Taser • Of the implications of misuse • The situations in which Taser use is appropriate The taser Proposal

17. Regulation & Accountability: • Taser use will be governed by strict ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOP) which outline situations in which its use is appropriate and how Tasers are to be safely used. • It will be regulated and monitored using the TASERCAM. • Circumstances of Use: • “Someone poses a real and immediate risk to themselves, members of the public or the Police in a dangerous or violent confrontations but when the use of a firearm is not justified.” (PANSW 2009) The taser proposal

18. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers discussion

19. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • Conspicuous and Easily Recognisable • Taser has proved itself as an effective deterrent • Police Minister Tony Kelly says that the sight of a deployed Taser resolved the conflict 55% of the time • The findings of the NSW trial show even more optimistic numbers with offenders capitulating 65% of the time when Tasers have been drawn • Peter Remfrey and PANSW feels that Tasers will discourage crime in society. • PANSW also hopes that Police in the possession of Tasers will reduce circumstances where the Taser is even drawn • Only 51% of surveyed subjects believed that Tasers are an effective deterrent against crime • Many people (over 58%) surveyed were not even aware of the Taser policy • Barry O’Farrell: “The biggest deterrent to crime occurring in a community is Police visibility not necessarily being in the possession of a Taser.” (2009) Discussion – Deterrence & Crime reduction

20. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • Tasers have proved themselves an effective weapon in decreasing the number of assaults on Police officers: • WA saw a decline of 40% • Florida saw a 93% decrease (Police Federation of Australia 2009) • The Police force aims to halve the 3000 assaults directed against Police officers every year • Police are currently being injured at 7 times the rate of an average worker in NSW. • The use of weapons (knives and guns) in violent confrontations with the Police has become more prevalent. • In overseas jurisdictions Tasers have proven to reduce the number of assaults on Police Officers. • Despite Tasers possibly reducing the number of assaults on police officers, the implications associated with them far outweigh these. Discussion – Police Safety

21. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • Tasers are advocated as a non-lethal weapon without serious implication on someone’s health • The United Kingdom Defence Scientific Advisory council concludes that: “the risk of life-threatening or serious injuries from the X26 is very low” (2005) • The US Department of Justice found that there is “no conclusive medical evidence within the state of current research that indicates a high risk of serious injury or death from the direct effects of Taser exposure” (2008) • No effect on cardiac function and pacemakers were observed (UK DSA 2005) • P. Remfrey: “Police need a tactical option available to them which will prevent serious injury and death to themselves or a member of the community.” (2009) • Ambulances are called on all occasions where a person is subjected to a Taser, under the SOPs. The government believes that this will reduce any chance of sustaining injuries • There are serious concern that overuse or use against more vulnerable members of society may lead to serious health implications and even fatality • Amnesty International claimed that around 350 people had died after contact with a Taser in the United States (2008) • The ombudsman also voices concern: “While it may be relatively safe to use a Taser on a healthy adult, the jury is still out on their use on a range of other people” • The U.S. department of Justice found that discharge against “small children, the elderly, those with heart disease or pregnant women” would have greater risks associated with it • Taser international also warns that repeated or continuous discharge “has not been extensively studied and may increase the risk of inducing an adverse effect” • To date Tasers have been linked to three deaths in Australia (Amnesty International, June 2009) Discussion - Safety OFCitizens

22. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • Autopsies found that in: • 78% of cases of fatality, high levels of illicit substance abuse were detected • 54% of cases had previously existing cardio-vascular conditions • 75% showed evidence of excited delirium • Even in special cases, the Taser provides a greater chance of survival than the fire arm. • When asked about using a Taser on vulnerable individuals in society Mr. Remfrey responded “as with any use of force by a Police officer they are required to use their professional judgement and balance the risks vs. the threat posed by an offender.” • The police must act when there is an imminent threat, it is not necessarily the responsibility of them to be aware of circumstances that mayincrease the danger of a Taser • NSW Ombudsman said: “Police need to be extremely careful using Taser … they are not a non-lethal weapon.” and “tasers are not infallible and with their use come significant safety risks.” (2008) • Some jurisdictions are reconsidering the use of Tasers due to health risks. • UN Committee Against Torture has claimed to have said that the use of the Taser amounts to torture. Discussion - Safety OfCitizens

23. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • A decrease in the number of assaults directed against Police would mean: • Savings from workers’ compensation claims and lost days from duty • The Police Association estimates a direct saving of more than $32 million saved per annum in NSW alone • As to the issue of pay: • Negotiations are under way with the PANSW for higher wages but the government stands by its current position • Tony Kelly: “The NSW Police Force is well paid; all officers are among the top third of income owners in Australia and their pay has increased by 91% since 1995, with a minimum salary of over $50 000. • Others dismiss the idea that the issues are related • Barry O’Farrell: Taser issuing and pay increase for Police officers are two separate issues. It is most important to have a well equipped and responsive Police force • Mr. Remfrey proposed that savings made are put back into improving Police pay • $10 million as a lump sum is too great when there is already other failing public services and there is serious concern over the pay of police • The best outcome is a well paid and well equipped Police but according to Bell it would be wrong to put it [the decision] on the Police • Bell states: “To say since you think it’s [taser] such a good idea, you can forgo a pay rise for twelve months… I don’t think that’s the right thing to do” • 60% of the surveyed people believe that the proposal is not an effective use of tax payer money • “Money should not be an issue when taking into account a weapon that would save lives. There is no price you can put on a human’s life, which would be saved through the use of a Taser.” Peter Remfrey (2009) Discussion – Economic Factors

24. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • There is confidence in the training and responsibility of the NSW Police. • Tony Kelly: “Tasers have been employed successfully by certain NSW Police force commands over the last 6 years.” (2009) • In the NSW Trial of Tasers of over 6 years, there was only one complaint of misuse (investigation is being held). • The majority of misuse seems to occur with batons and capsicum spray misuse, according to Barry O’Farrell. • 41% of those surveyed are not comfortable or do not feel safe with the Police handling Tasers • The trials held in Queensland found the following: • Tasers were used 170 times in a period of one year. This translates to roughly 3 incidents in a week • Out of these uses: • 75% of the subjects were unarmed • 25% were shot more than the recommended amount of one discharge • 17% were already handcuffed when tasered (drive stun mode) • Greens stated that this “show there is a real problem with overuse of the weapon an dits potential to become the weapon of choice for minor offences” (Hon. Sylvia Hale 2009) • Amnesty believes that Tasers are inherently open to abuse, as they are easy to carry, easy to use and can inflict severe pain (without leaving substantial evidence) Discussion-Abuse & Regulation

25. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • TASER CAM and audio recording facilities, to be analysed by the Deputy Commissioner of Field operations will hold officers accountable • “The ability to review every use of a Taser allows Police to ensure that appropriate procedures are followed as well as providing the opportunity to review procedures and make improvements if they’re needed. • TASER International states: • Video footage of incidents have exonerated officers of charges 96% of the time • It provides absolute proof on which regulation can be exercised and necessary changes made • TASERCAM has been obscured in many cases: • A man in Oxford St. Sydney was Tasered as he compiled with an officer’s request to move onto the foot path. The TASERCAM was obscured. • Most footage is only of of the perpetrator being stunned and this is also the case with the drivestun • Footage is also ineffective in the cases of ‘drive stun’ where footage is too limited / zoomed in • Amnesty International claims this to be a “loophole” Discussion – Abuse & regulation

26. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • Policemen require a “range of options” in dealing with crime that do not resort to lethal force (firearm) • Peter Remfrey claims that there is a “large gap between OC spray, batons etc and the firearm” • PANSW (2009) have found that OC spray risks secondary contamination to officers and often has no effect on some offenders (particularly those under the influence of drugs) • Batons are not always effective in life threatening situations and has its own issue with misuse and can only be used in close proximity • In fact Remfrey claims that batons and OC spray carry a greater risk of severe and permanent injuries • Critics believe that the options currently available to the Police are adequate and stands by the misuse and abuse brought on by the introduction of Tasers Discussion – Alternative

27. Discussion – Alternative POINTS IN FAVOUR • Policemen like Bell states that : “any extra level you've got, something rather than lethal force, the use of the fire arm, we’re all in favour of”. • In life threatening situations, Tasers are a guaranteed way to immobilise the offender and significantly reduces the chance of fatality • The firearm under the current SOP’s are a shoot to kill options and almost guarantees serious injury or death • When the current defence options are not guaranteed to immobilise, police are forced to use lethal force in life-threatening situations • Supporters also criticize bodies like Amnesty who oppose the Taser as failing to provide another alternative when there is a problem in the status quo.

28. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • The eight hour training program seeks to ensure that officers are fully aware of what they are handling • PANSW included the use of Tasers on officers during the training program • Sergeant Anson “There was this incredibly searing pain in my back which caused me not to be able to move at all. It felt like some one had stabbed a large knife in the base of my spine and had severed my spinal cord…. It hurt like hell” • Policemen claim that a “Full day training is quite adequate… they’re a fairly basic item as far as the operation of them and quite a bit of it goes towards the circumstances in which you would use it” (Bell 2009) • Occupational Health and Safety concerns on July 14th 2009, “forbade officers Tasering each other during training” • Many see this as an inherent contradiction: The Greens’ spokesperson states “Clearly the Government is concerned that trialling Tasers on Police raises serious safety concerns for NSW Police officers. The government should show similar concern for the safety of the general public” • Others claim that Policemen will not be able to fully appreciate the “power” of this weapon • 50% of those surveyed do not believe that the training program is sufficient to prevent misuse Discussion –Training

29. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers opinions

30. Public Opinion: Opinions

31. Opinions Public Opinion:

32. Opinions Public Opinion:

33. Opinions Public Opinion:

34. Opinions Public Opinion:

35. POINTS IN FAVOUR POINTS AGAINST • Better alternative to lethal force • Effective deterrent • Regulatory, training and operating procedures are sufficient • Police safety and authority • Effective in immobilising the offender without serious health implications • Lethal when misused • Can cause unnecessary injury and death • Easier to abuse or use excessively • Violation of Civil Liberties • Waste of Taxpayers money • The status quo is sufficient • More specific Guidelines as to use • More training, education, research and longer trials is required Public opinion Quoted from anonymous sources (survey)

36. As a team we support the roll out. • We have come to this conclusion with the belief that Tasers will: • Improve the general safety of the people and the police force • Save money and improve the situation with police pay • It will be effective as a deterrent and an immobilising weapon in regulating crime Our Opinions

37. Our Opinions But, we do make a number of recommendations or amendments: The banning of the drive stun feature which can not be monitored and do raise real concern over unnecessary use. Drive Stun has been shown to be used mostly when offenders were under custody and disarmed It would also address the United Nations concern over Tasers becoming an instrument of torture

38. Our Opinion We propose: That the proposal be delayed by two years (as per the NSW Ombudsman’s recommendations) as there is still a lot of uncertainty as to the effect Tasers may have on young, disabled or people under the influence of drugs That the roll-out to the general police force occur in a strictly monitored and small test area for a period of time before the distribution to the rest of the state. That the SOP’s have definite and specific wordings of when Tasers can be used instead of leaving it up to police judgement That police be trained and educated about mentally disabled people, youth and people experiencing excited delirium where the use of Taser could be more dangerous

39. Global Studies Presentation - Tasers Conclusion

40. Answers to our Focus Questions: • The proposal was first drafted by the government with the hopes of reducing the use of the firearm and increase the general safety of the Police and the people of NSW • Although opinions differ with different aspects to the proposal, there is a general support of 46% for the issue (personal survey 2009) • After weighing up the benefits and the potential implications, we have decided that the policy is necessary and will benefit the state. We have also attached a number of recommendations to improve the proposal • It is our hope that this presentation has given you the opportunity to develop your position on a recent and controversial issue that affects all of us. Conclusion