Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is a taser?

Taser is a brand name for a conducted energy device. It is a hand-held weapon similar in shape and size to a pistol, but is bright yellow in colour.

When a taser is aimed, a red dot appears, allowing the officer to see where they are aiming.

Tasers may used by police to resolve dangerous or violent situations without permanent injury to officers or the public, if the circumstances permit.

How do they work?

Tasers produce an electrical current which can be incapacitating, causing the skeletal muscles to freeze. Tasers are powered by two 3-volt lithium batteries.

When fired in probe mode, tasers shoot out two probes on the end of very thin wires.

These conduct the electrical charge.

Tasers can also be used in direct contact with the skin. In this case, they cause localised pain.

What happens if you are tasered?

If you are tasered in probe mode, your muscles will feel like they are frozen. You might fall down. While it is very painful at the time, as soon as the taser turns off, the pain and incapacitation stop.

You may feel:

• dazed for a few seconds
• unsteady on your feet
• temporary tingling sensation
• stressed (caused by pain), but should recover very quickly.

When can police use tasers?

Queensland Police are trained to use tasers as a part of the situational use of force model, which means they make a risk assessment of a situation, and decide which is the most appropriate response.

Tasers have proven to be particularly helpful when dealing with dangerous or violent situations where people are threatening self harm or harming others. They have allowed police to resolve these issues without injury to officers or the general public.

In many instances, they have been used successfully in situations where previously a firearm may have been used.

Aren’t tasers dangerous?

Any use of force option carries with it risks, however tasers have proven themselves to be a relatively safe option in a range of situations, especially considering that they often replace the use of firearms.

The Queensland Coroner has commented on the potential for tasers to reduce the number of shootings involving police.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission’s (CMC’s) recent research document into taser use states that “field use statistics indicate that the majority of people exposed to tasers sustain no serious injuries”.

The document further notes that evaluations in the UK, New Zealand and the ACT found no serious injuries were sustained by officers or suspects.

What happens if someone who has a heart problem is tasered?

The CMC’s research document cites a study by the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne which found that the 2.1 mA amp current delivered by a taser is only around one third of the current required to induce ventricular fibrillation.

There are no studies suggesting that tasers effect the function of heart pacemakers.

What happens if someone on drugs is tasered?

Drug use is a common cause of violent and dangerous behaviour, and tasers can be a useful tool in safely subduing drug affected people who can otherwise be very difficult to restrain. Without the use of a taser, subduing drug affected people can lead to injury to both the person and officers.

What happens if someone is tasered more than once?

There have been instances where people have been subjected to more than one use of the taser in Queensland with no ill effect.

There are some cases overseas where people have been tasered by more than one weapon at a time, something that QPS policy advises against.

There have been reports overseas that people have died after being tasered. How can the QPS say they are a ‘less than lethal’ use of force?

There has been no death directly related to taser use.

There have been a number of deaths following taser use, but none have been directly linked to the use of tasers.

Tasers have been described as weapons of torture. How can the QPS justify using them?

Any use of force or even restraint has the potential to become a weapon of torture if misused. The QPS has put in place rigorous training, policy, accountability and oversight frameworks to ensure that tasers are used appropriately.

Policy specifically prohibits the use of tasers punitively.

The QPS rollout of tasers:

Which police officers will get tasers?

Tasers will be available for operational use by officers who have successfully completed the approved training course. By 2011, all operational officers will be trained in the use of tasers.

Each region has identified training and rollout priorities, based on a risk analysis including the numbers of assaults on police.

Officers will not have access to tasers until they have undertaken a comprehensive training package, and their station has been fitted with appropriate storage devices for the weapons.

Does every officer get a taser?

Tasers are not being issued to each officer, however each area will have a capability to access weapons.

When will they get tasers in my town?

Your region has prioritised which areas are to receive tasers first. For information on when police in your town will receive tasers, contact your local police station.

Accountability and oversight:

How will the QPS make sure the tasers aren’t misused?

The QPS has put a lot of effort into developing a comprehensive training and policy framework to try to ensure appropriate use. These were developed through the 2008 taser trial, consultation with stakeholders including the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) and other police jurisdiction.

There is also a robust review and oversight framework, including a review committee which will look at every taser deployment, even if the weapon is not activated.

Ethical Standards Command will oversee this process.

There is also an external oversight by the CMC.

How do I make a complaint about a taser use?

If you have concerns about how a taser was used on you, you can contact Ethical Standards Command or the Crime and Misconduct Commission.