20 May 2008

Bill wants more toys for The AFP

| Jazz
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I’ve just noticed this article on ABC online where Shadow Attorney General Bill Stefaniac is calling for all AFP officers (presumably including the extra 500 police) to have taser guns issued as standard equipment on their already encumbered utility belts. The theory being that it will ultimately be kinder on criminals who might otherwise have to be shot.. oh, and protect police and citzens as well.

It surprises me that Bill hasn’t come up with this one before and has come to the conclusion that the pepper spray already issued as standard equipment isnt considered sufficient to fulfil the role as a non lethal suppresant.

What’s next one wonders, maybe net guns? While we are at it, I think we should also give all police EMP based rocket launchers to disable cars fleeing a chase.

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Look Right, you moron.

Tooks is on the money with this one.

The relevant Police forces have to consider a number of options available to its members. Non-lethal options are obviously preferable. OC was introduced which saw a decrease in incidents where Police were using batons and gave them an option preferable to lethal force. Tasers are another option.

Look right – the way you waded into this one shows your lack of knowledge on the subject – have you ever seen an angry person?

Look Right, I don’t want to go into specifics of the incident I mentioned, but I can assure you a Taser would’ve been considered (and most likely used) had one been available. That incident was played out over about 40 minutes, with other options used (OC spray, negotiation etc).

On your other point, I agree that Police already have enough options on their belts to deal with any situation. The Taser would just provide one more non-lethal force option.

The way I see it is the cops have enough options on their belts. Another tool on their belt is another tool that might be used in an unjustified manner at an incident where the tools they have are adequate.

The legislation that cops work under in regards to acts where certain lethal tools may be used would not necessarily have meant that a taser would have been utilised at the above mentioned incident.

“My guess is that”… well, that’s just the way I started the sentence. Does it really mean I am guessing? I think not.

Look Right. “My guess is that…”

Exactly. You are guessing, therefore you have no idea what you’re talking about. Ignorance is bliss.

One of the worst ideas you’ve read? I guess you missed the recent news about NSW Police giving Tasers to their senior officers. Not exactly my idea then, is it?

In the fairly recent shooting of an offender in Woden, the shift Sgt was at that job. If he had a Taser that night, then said offender would not have been shot with a Glock.

Shift Sgts often back up their teams at jobs involving violence or the threat of violence. There would be numerous occasions where a Sgt would be at a job within seconds of other patrol cars turning up. Notice I said seconds, not minutes.

At the moment, if a Taser is required at a job, the SRS have to come out. Which would take much much longer than a Sergeant.

Hey Tooks,

How long do you expect the cops to wait till their shift Sgt gets to the job. My guess is that it would all be over by other means if connies had to wait that long for a taser.

One of the worst ideas on this site I’ve read.

The U.S. Marines had a great non lethal weapons program that came up with this immobilising “silly string” that would stick and expand on the individual making it difficult to move, it would be funny as hell to see the cops go through civic on a friday or saturday night dealing with difficult folk in this manner. It’s also non toxic so it is great with kids.

stereo henry8:56 am 21 May 08

I reckon the 000 emergency number should be replaced by a big AFP light that could be shone on the night clouds when police help was needed

Actually that’s not a bad idea. Since the judges are going to punish them by waving a moist warm lettuce at them anyway, the cops can get in first and give them a bloody good tazering they won’t forget.

Tazer away I say. I would love to see some of the shit in Canberra get more than pathetic slap on the wrist.

scissor paper stone. ultimate weapon.

who needs guns? (although the doughnut holes and withering glares add to the armoury)

Net-guns, yeah! And a Batarrang (to make their utility belt look more interesting).
And a bag of compressed doughnuts for those difficult times.

I vote for the EMP based rocket launcher idea too.

Personally I don’t care either way if they get the tasers, doesn’t particularly worry me if they shoot them instead.

As someone who is not likely to be on the receiving end of a tazer any time soon I fully support this.

Imagine how much more fun http://the-riotact.com/?p=4307 would be to watch.

I want to see the EMP net/taser option – fire it over fleeing car, closes the doors up tight, fries the car and the people inside. Neat and effective.

Tasers are funny watch the chicken dance baby.

One to make everyone else smile though. Part of taser training is getting hit yourself.

Unfortunately, OC spray isn’t effective on everyone, whereas Tasers are. Also OC is effective at about 3 metres, Tasers (from memory) have a range of about 7m.

I don’t know if every member should carry one, but having every shift Sgt carry one might be a good option.

Don’t tase me, man!

Lightsabres !

Police in New Zealand by routine do not carry firearms in the course of their general duties.

Understandably, Australia is a much different environment than over the short ditch – however if police removed sidearms and replaced them with tazers I’m not too sure if anybody would be that offended.

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