New Tasers are being rolled out to our police force nationwide, but there are growing concerns the technology is missing a vital part — the camera.
The Southern District is the first in line to be trained with the Taser 10, which will replace the Taser X2 currently being used by police.
The Taser 10 is capable of firing 10 shots at a range of 13m. It's also completely waterproof.
"We're asking our officers to go forward and deal with things that others are running away from, and they need the right tools and this is the right tool," Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson told 1News.
The new Tasers will cost $30 million to replace the Taser X2, which has been in use by the police force since 2010.
"It has exactly the same effect — the voltage is slightly less, in fact. That said, more reliable and the distance is really critical when our staff are making decisions," Johnson said.
But the current model has one crucial feature which the Taser 10 does not — a camera.
Criminal defence lawyer Marie Dyhrberg said in areas such as a court of law "where there are allegations made on both sides, the fact that there are no cameras operating at this stage is a matter of great concern".
"It keeps the police on their toes — they have to do the right thing... It also means that for the public, there are no spurious allegations made of police misconduct because there it's captured so all sides win."
The concerns have renewed debate for officers in New Zealand to start wearing body cameras.
Police Association vice president Steve Watt called it "an extremely complex process, given our laws in the country, to get bodycams over the line".
"I understand the conversations are being held — it's being looked at."
Dyhrberg said "cameras keep everybody honest".
"They keep them honest in the interview rooms at police stations, and we've had that now for many years — huge difference — and we've also got to have it out there on the front line."
Johnson said officers who use their Taser "are required to submit a report".
"We go through and assess them, so we have a number of checks and balances."
The full rollout is expected to take three years to complete nationwide.
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