Evaluation of Taser reforms
Overview
In April 2011, the CMC tabled a report documenting its evaluation of the QPS implementation of Taser reforms recommended in a joint QPS–CMC review of Taser policy and training in Queensland in 2009.
The joint review followed the death in June 2009 of a 39-year-old man in the North Queensland town of Brandon after a Taser deployment. The review made 27 recommendations intended to improve policy, training and monitoring practices.
Our evaluation of the QPS implementation found that:
- the frequency of Taser uses had decreased considerably since the policy revision
- most uses appeared appropriate in the circumstances, with no evidence of 'Taser creep' or widespread misuse
- deployments against handcuffed people had decreased noticeably.
Nevertheless, we continue to be concerned that:
- a significant number of deployments still involve multiple or prolonged discharges of tasers
- although the revised policy highlighted the risks of deploying Tasers against potentially ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at-risk’ groups, deployments following its introduction are generally more likely to involve such people
- Indigenous Queenslanders are over-represented as subjects of Taser use
- although Taser-related injuries or medical complications are still relatively uncommon, the rate of injury has increased since the revised policy was introduced.
Current status
In January 2012 the Government released its response to the CMC’s report. The Government supported 17 of our 21 recommendations. A further 2 recommendations were supported in part and the remaining 2 were supported in principle.
We will continue to liaise with the QPS about the implementation of the recommendations and will undertake further research on police use of Tasers.
Related documents and links
Report |
Evaluating Taser reforms: a review of Queensland Police Service policy and practice April 2011 (PDF, 2.20 MB) Summary: Findings and recommendations |
Media releases and statements |
CMC releases evaluation of Taser use in Queensland 28 April 2011 |
Government response |
Queensland Government response to the Crime and Misconduct Commission report Evaluating Taser reforms: A review of Queensland Police Service Policy and Practice January 2012 (PDF, 3 MB) |
Related links |
Government response to QPS-CMC Review of Taser Policy, Training, and Monitoring and Review Practices December 2010 (PDF, 840 KB) QPS-CMC Review of Taser Policy, Training, and Monitoring and Review Practices July 2009 (PDF, 715 KB) Tasers: a brief overview of the research literature November 2008 (PDF, 230 KB) Factsheet about Tasers February 2008 (PDF, 110 KB) |
See also
- Queensland Police Services pages on Tasers
- Inquest following Taser-related death:
The CMC is following the current inquest into the death of Antonio Galeano after a Taser deployment in the North Queensland town of Brandon in 2009. The inquest is being heard by Deputy Coroner Christine Clements.
