Page 3773 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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It is odd to me that despite what Mr Corbell has argued in this place before, which is that it is an operational decision, a matter for the Chief Police Officer, he essentially has got this other position, which is: “No, it is not really a matter for the Chief Police Officer; it is only going to happen if he comes to me and I am happy with it.” What I am saying very clearly in this place from the opposition’s point of view is that the case has been made and we have confidence in the Chief Police Officer that for the safety of the community, the safety of his members, he should have that discretion. Mr Corbell has argued in this place:
I have no doubt that the incorporation of tasers into the suite of tools available to front-line police provides an additional use-of-force option to assist police when facing such situations as these.
But we know that most front-line police do not have this piece of equipment. He went on:
Evidence obtained by ACT Policing during the course of its consultation with other jurisdictions nationally and internationally demonstrates that there is a direct correlation between the employment of tasers and the de-escalation of volatile operational situations as well as a reduction in the number of assaults on police. Experience demonstrates that in 70 per cent of cases, the simple drawing of a taser from a holster has de-escalated a volatile situation and that assaults on police have reduced by 30 per cent as a result of the introduction of tasers to front-line operations.
The clear deduction from that is that the failure to have our front-line police issued with tasers means that they are more likely to be assaulted. Mr Corbell argued in this place that tasers have reduced assaults on police in 70 per cent of cases and volatile situations and assaults on police have been reduced by 30 per cent.
Mr Smyth: Who said that?
MR HANSON: To clarify, Mr Corbell said that. Mr Corbell has argued in this place that issuing tasers to front-line police will reduce––
Members interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Hanson. Stop the clock. I do not think we need to deteriorate into vaudeville this afternoon. Seriously! Mr Hanson will be heard in silence. Start the clock, thank you.
MR HANSON: Back to where I was, and just for edification in case Mr Barr missed it, Mr Corbell has previously argued in this place that there is evidence that issuing front-line police with tasers will reduce assaults on police. It therefore follows, based on what Mr Corbell has said, that the absence of front-line police with tasers means that there are more police out there getting assaulted than is otherwise necessary. Mr Corbell has also said:
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