Tasmanian police officers will soon be armed with tasers for the first time, as part of what the state government is calling a “record investment” in law enforcement in the upcoming budget.
Police Minister Felix Ellis announced the rollout on Tuesday, revealing that 50 general duties officers will carry the electrical devices as part of an initial trial.
“Tasmania Police will be equipped with new tools to ensure that they are kept safe while they’re keeping the community safe,” Ellis said.
“Providing more force options for Tasmania Police will be critical in allowing them to protect the community and protect themselves.”
Up until now, only the Special Operations Group has had access to tasers in Tasmania. This trial will extend their use to general duties officers across both city and regional areas.
Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo said the new equipment would help officers respond more safely to dangerous situations.
“Tasmania Police provides a service to the community that involves them facing threats on a daily basis,” he said.
“This funding for a trial of electrical weapons for police will help us provide that service in a way that really protects the safety of the public and our officers.”
Oosterloo said officers are trained to use the “minimum amount of force necessary” depending on the threat, with tasers to give police “another option” in resolving incidents.
“We look forward to running the trial and introducing something that’s going to be really important for the safety of all Tasmanians,” he said.
The budget will also fund new ballistic vests and body-worn cameras for officers, as well as an expanded rollout of metal detection wands pending the passage of ‘Reid’s Law’ through the upper house in the coming weeks.
Ellis said tasers aren’t intended to replace firearms altogether.
“It’s about an additional tool in the toolkit,” he said. “That kind of lethal force that’s available through firearms sadly is needed only on rare occasions.”
“We’re satisfied that this will be an important tool for Tasmania Police when they’re protecting the public as well as protecting themselves.”
The state government hasn’t disclosed the cost of the trial, saying details will be released once the purchase is finalised.
