Police Commissioner Mike Bush today announced that frontline police response staff will be armed with Tasers.

The decision means they can be carried at all times by appropriately trained police ‘level one' response staff whose responsibilities and likelihood of risk supports having easier access to a Taser.

Appropriately trained police first response staff will routinely carry X26 (left) & X2 Taser to enhance public & police safety. Photo: File.

Such staff can currently access a Taser from a lockbox in frontline Police vehicles if required.

Approximately 5,500 staff are trained as level one responders.

Mike says the important operational change is about enhancing the safety of New Zealand communities and police staff, and is backed by detailed research gathered since Tasers were rolled out nationally in March 2010.

He says the decision is based on research and evidence highlighting the success of the Taser in de-escalating violent situations, and it's extremely low rate of injury compared with other tactical options.

'In making the decision, the police executive has considered almost five years' worth of 'use of force' data,” explains Mike, 'which includes analysis of injury rates, numbers of Taser deployments and the ratio of Taser ‘shows' to actual discharges.

'It consistently shows that the Taser is one of the least injury-causing tactical options available when compared with other options, with a subject injury rate of just over one per cent for all deployments.

'We've also listened to the feedback of our frontline staff, who consistently tell us that the Taser has proved its worth in the field numerous times for both preventing and responding to violent and high risk situations.

'Our research shows that presentation of the Taser alone has a significant preventative effect, being discharged only once for every nine times it is shown or presented.

'The reality is that police officers often enter into high risk situations.

'With Taser immediately accessible, this provides added confidence for our staff and communities that if a situation does escalate, our officers have the appropriate tools to manage the situation.”

Mike says the process to consider the implications of a move to routine Taser carriage was initiated by Police late last year.

The Police Association was advised of the decision earlier this week and is supportive of the change.

'Police always continues to monitor our operating environment to ensure we remain current with best practice and to make sure our staff have the necessary tools and training to keep the public and themselves safe.”

An implementation plan is now being developed to ensure first responder staff are appropriately familiar with the new Taser policy, with additional devices to be rolled out later in 2015.