Global Studies Presentation: tasers

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

2. Global Studies Presentation: Tasers Introduction

3. Topic Area: NSW Police Force and Tasers Focus Question: Why is the NSW Government distributing Tasers to the general police force of NSW, and what is the NSW public opinion? Purpose of Research: Answer our focus question by investigating the NSW Government’s proposal to introduce Tasers and the opinions of numerous political and police figures, bodies and the general public opinion. Hypothesis: That the NSW Police Force requires a non-lethal additional choice of force. That the public is satisfied with the government’s proposal to issue Tasers. Introduction

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. Background • The NSW Government has decided to issue Tasers to the NSW Police Force. • The NSW Liberal Party have urged the Labor Government to introduce Tasers since 2008. • The Government announced the proposal on June 14 2009 however 58% of surveyed people were unaware of the proposal. • This decision is considered to be one of the most controversial in the 147 year history of the Police Force. • This decision has been criticised by major Human Rights Watchdogs like Amnesty International and has been the subject of numerous debates and disagreements in public opinion. INTRODUCTION

6. We chose to investigate the issue because it is a current and controversial issue that will affect the NSW population. • Our main focus for investigation was: • Public opinion • Previous Trials (international and national) • Economic Aspect • Abuse and Regulation • Crime Regulation and Deterrents • Health Risks and Concerns • Training • Taser Legislation and Proposal Details introduction

7. Global Studies Research Project: Tasers Status quo

8. 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

9. 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 – riot squad and senior officers Status quo

10. Global Studies Presentation: Tasers About the Taser

11. 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. • A replaceable cartridge (ammunition) containing the wires and barbs needs to be replaced after each use. • It is a conducted energy device (CED) classified by police as a ‘less than lethal’ weapon. • It is generally classified on a similar level as capsicum spray on the ‘use of force’ continuum. • 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

12. 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: A feature which can be used as a ‘pain compliance’ technique without necessarily immobilising the person. This mode requires the Taser to be directly attached to the body of the offender causing localised pain to that area without having a significant impact on the central nervous system. This feature can be used without having a cartridge installed. • All Taser units have an inbuilt camera, called a ‘TASERCAM’, which records video and audio footage of a situation. It is automatically turned on whenever a Taser is turned on, not necessarily used. This feature is an essential part in the regulation and monitoring process however has flaws. About the taser

13. Effect of a Taser • The Taser’s electrical current affects the central nervous system which results in neuro-muscular incapacitation or 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. • The X26 Taser delivers 0.0021 amps of electricity to the body. A defibrillator delivers an electrical charge sever hundred times stronger than this and it requires approximately 1-2 amps of electrical charge to kill an average person. • History • Stun Guns were first developed in the late 1960’s • Tasers have been used in the US for over 27 years. About the taser

14. Taser video – TASER CO. Promotional video

15. Global Studies Presentation: Tasers The taser Proposal

16. Why has this Proposal come about? • In addition to numerous other factors the Governments believes there is a large gap in the range of defence weapons deployed for police. • Capsicum spray has been proven ineffective to some people and is only effective above the torso • Batons can only be used in close proximity to an offender. • The biggest problem is that the previous two non-lethal weapons can not always immobilise the criminal. Therefore police are forced to resort to the firearm. • Tasers would fill this gap with the guarantee of immobilising the perpetrator with a “less-than-lethal force” • Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell 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

17. 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 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: • 50 Taser units that have been trialled by the NSW Riot Squad and Tactical Operations Unit for 2 years. • 229 units issued to senior officers (Inspectors and Sergeants Rank) last year • Thus, there will be a total of 2241 units used by NSW Police after the proposal is fully implemented. The taser Proposal

18. Training: • 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. • The aim of training is to ensure that officers know: • How to use a Taser appropriately • Of the implications of misuse • The situations in which Taser use is appropriate The taser Proposal

19. Regulation & Accountability: • Taser use will be governed by strict ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOP) which clearly 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. The taser proposal

20. Global Studies Presentation Max Fulton, Stu Colderick and Bo Seo discussion

21. Support tasers Against tasers • The TASER company has designed the models used in law enforcement to be conspicuous and easily recognisable • Visible at night, the mere sight of a Taser has seen the perpetrator surrender • 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 • 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” Discussion - Deterrent

22. Support tasers Against tasers • 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 • The police force aims to halve the 3000 assaults directed against police officers per annum • 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. • Most critics do agree that tasers will reduce assault against police but are mainly concerned about the implication this may have on the people’s health Discussion – Police Safety

23. Support tasers Against tasers • 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 United 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) • PANSW claims that the only injury that may result from the Taser are “injury from the resulting fall or the barb of the Taser that may have to be removed by the GP” • No effect on cardiac function and pacemakers were observed • There are serious concern that overuse or use against more vulnerable members of society may lead to serious health implications and even fatallity • Amnesty International claimed that around 350 people had died after contact with a taser • 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” Safety - Citizens

24. SUPPORT TASERS AGAINST TASERS • 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 • It is the government’s view that these statistics show that: excited delirium, substance abuse and alcohol abuse are more likely to have caused the death than the Taser itself. Safety - Citizens

25. Pro Con • A decrease in the number of assaults directed against police would mean: • Less police injuries • 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 for police • Some do not even believe that there is a problem with Police wages • 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 • 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 • $10 million too much – already shortage, there have been fine strikes across the state • 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” • 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 • 60% of the surveyed people believe that the proposal is not an effective use of tax payer money Economic

26. Support tasers Against tasers • Supporters of the issue acknowledge the possibility of abuse yet seem confident in the training and the responsibility of the NSW police • Tony Kelly: Tasers have been employed successfully by certain NSW police force commands over the last 6 years. The SOP’s governing the use of tasers in NSW is second to none • Barry O’Farrell: As long as human beings are police officers there will be some small number of them who will use weapons inappropriately. That’s why you have the regulation, the checks and balances to weed them out • 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) • Critics, including the Greens believe that the data “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) Discussion-Abuse

27. Support tasers Against tasers • TASER CAM and audio recording facilities , to be analysed by the Deputy Commissioner of Field operations will hold officers accountable • TASER International boasts that “a picture is worth a thousand words” • 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. • Instantly discharged Tasers will hold only the footage of the perpetrator being stunned • 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

28. Support tasers • Policemen require a “range of options” in dealing with crime that does 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 does not always immobilise the offender (particularly those under the influence of drugs) • Batons are not always effective in life threatening situations and has its own issue with misuse • In fact Remfrey claims that batons and OC spray carry a greater risk of severe and permanent injuries Discussion – Alternative

29. Discussion – Alternative Support tasers • 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”. • Provides an alternative in dealing with dangerous and violent situations. • Minimising emotional effects

30. Support tasers Against tasers • 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” • 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

31. Support tasers Against tasers • In the 12 month trial by QLD Police, the use of a Taser proved effective in over 100 domestic violence situations. • Police may use a Taser when a person is an imminent threat to a police officer or member of the public, but when the use of a fire arm is not justified. Circumstances of use

32. Use: • “Police can use a Taser when a person is an imminent threat to police, themselves or a member of the public, but when the use of a firearm is not justified.” • Tasers are a guaranteed disabling agent, that can be targeted anywhere on the body, which is effective on all people. • They are not to be used in larger crowds as it may heighten tension. • It will provide the officer with another option along with the baton, capsicum spray and a firearm for controlling dangerous situations or violent suspects. • A Taser has an effective range of 4.6 metres. • Taser use on moving offenders may be ineffective with a decreased chance of both barbs connecting. research

33. Research

34. Global Studies Presentation Max Fulton, Stu Colderick and Bo Seo Case studies and opinions

35. Barry: Its all very well for amnesty to oppose the proposal but they have failed to propose an alternative You are leaving police with guns and batons where the most of the misuse is said to occur It is important to give them the resources to defend our state our people and themselves from crime Not the police’s responsibillity to know what they’ve been doing – to interview about it. No time Case Studies

36. Public Opinion: Opinions

37. Our Opinions

38. Global Studies Presentation Max Fulton, Stu Colderick and Bo Seo Conclusion

39. Conclusion