By ALANA MITCHELSON
Geelong police are permanently arming themselves with tasers after trialling the weapon since 2013.
State Government announced this week it would roll out the “conducted energy devices” (CEDs) at more than 30 regional 24-hour police stations, including Geelong and Corio.
Geelong local area commander Inspector Graham Banks said the tasers had been mostly a visual deterrent in the local trial.
“CEDs have only been used about half a dozen times and no injuries have been reported from the use of them,” Insp Banks said.
“They’ve been used many more times as a visual deterrent, being pointed at the offender to comply with instructions without the actual firing of the charge and have been extremely effective at de-escalating volatile situations.
“Geelong was a pilot site and our experience has been that they’re a vital tool in safely resolving situations with violent and often armed offenders without the need to use lethal force.”
Surf Coast local area commander Inspector Peter Seel said Colac but not Torquay police would also receive tasers under the roll out.
“Tasers will be used as an extra tool police members can use when they believe the subject’s behaviour is likely to cause serious injury to themselves, police or the public and other tactical options are or have been ineffective in reducing the risk of serious injury.
“Each station will receive sufficient numbers to equip operational units on any given shift.”
Under the rollout, general duties and highway patrol officers have begun training to carry and use the tasers.
Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said the weapons would give police additional “non-lethal options for the resolution of incidents”.
“Unfortunately, over recent years there has been an increase in the number of incidents where police have been confronted by armed and violent people and those who are drug or alcohol affected.
“These are often physical confrontations where police, members of the community and the individuals themselves are at risk of being injured,” Ms Steendam said.
“Once our officers are trained in their use, CEDs can provide an additional tactical option to help resolve some of these high risk incidents.
“They can only be used when it’s believed it will prevent death or serious injury. In many cases, the presentation of a CED alone can help to safely diffuse a situation.”
Ms Steendam said officers would undertake two days of training before carrying tasers, with “strict accountability processes in place to monitor and record the use of CEDs”.
