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Below:A March 10, 2012, Sky News report on Victoria Police officers being issued with tasers.
Below: A March 2012, World News Australia report on the apparently taser-related death of a Brazilian student. It includes a comment by the Brazilian ambassador to Australia. . Below: A March 21, 2012, ABC News report on the apparently taser-related death of a Brazilian student. It includes comments from the young man’s family, the Brazilian government and the New South Wales police minister and premier. . Below: A United States Taser C2 promotional video from 2009. Tasers can be sold to United States citizens who pass a security test. |
 Web links, documents |
Taser International includes on its Internet site a number of reports from branches of the scientific and medical community attesting to the safety of its devices. These can be accessed at http://www.taser.com/research-and-safety/science-and-medical
In November 2008 the New South Wales ombudsman released a report titled, 'The use of Taser weapons by New South Wales Police Force'. The report warns of some of the potential dangers associated with a general roll-out of Tasers.
The full text of the report can be found at http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/publication/PDF/specialreport/The%20use%20of%20Taser%20weapons%20by%20NSW%20Police%20Force.pdf
On April 28, 2011, the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission issued a report commending the Queensland Police Service on its effective implementation of an earlier series of recommendations re how it might use Tasers more safely.
A media release detailing the CMC's response can be found at http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/news-and-media/media-releases/media-releases-6-july-2010-29-june-2011/cmc-releases-evaluation-of-taser-use
The full text of the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission's evaluation of the Queensland Police Services Taser reforms can be found at http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications/police/tasers/evaluating-taser-reforms-review-qps-policy-and-practice
In November 2011 Amnesty International published figures claiming 334 people had died in Taser-related incidents in the United States since 2001. That figure has now been upgraded to 500.
An article outlining the Amnesty International findings can be found at http://www.safetyissues.com/site/science_technology/tasers_are_lethal_amnesty_international.html
On March 11, 2012, The Herald Sun ran an editorial welcoming Victoria Police's decision to issue Tasers to general duties officers. The full text of this editorial can be found at http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/tasers-long-overdue-and-safer-alternative/story-e6frfhqo-1226295953788
On March 12, 2012, the ABC's Radio National AM program carried a report of the decision to arm regular duty Victorian police with Tasers. The report includes comments from those who support as well as hold reservations about the decision. A full transcript can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3450924.htm
On March 19, 2012, The Telegraph published a news report detailing Taser wholesaler George Hateley's defence of the devices. The full text of the article can be found at http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/george-hateley-a-former-police-officer-and-director-of-breon-defence-systems-denies-tasers-are-deadly-weapons/story-e6freuy9-1226303309085
On March 19, 2012, The Telegraph published an analysis by Tory Shepherd titled, 'Lethal weapon: Are Tasers saving or costing lives'. The full text can be found at http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/lethal-weapon-are-tasers-saving-or-costing-lives/story-e6freuzr-1226303928633
On March 19, 2012, The Punch published an opinion piece by Tory Shepherd titled 'When do we stop calling Tasers "non-lethal"?' The piece argues that Tasers are not the non-lethal option they are often presented as. The full text of the comment can be found at http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-do-we-stop-calling-tasers-non-lethal/
On March 20, 2012, The Punch published an opinion piece by Greens MP David Shoebridge titled, 'Stop! Or I'll pump 50, 000 volts into your back'. The piece argues that Tasers are not the non-lethal alternative to firearms that their supporters often claim. The full text of this piece can be found at http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tasers-dont-reduce-police-firearms-use/
On March 21, 2012, the ABC Radio Australia News carried a report detailing the Brazilian government's concern that the questions surrounding the Taser-related death of Roberto Laudisio Curti be answered. The full text of this report can be found at http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201203/3460035.htm?desktop
On March 22, 2012, The Conversation published an opinion piece by Professor Jude McCulloch which considers some of the complications of Taser-related issues, including Taser International's reluctance to accept that their product can have lethal effects. The full text of this piece can be found at http://theconversation.edu.au/why-the-taser-related-death-toll-is-rising-5965
On March 24, 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald published an article on the extent of Taser use among the New South Wales Police force. The report includes comments from a range of sources, including the state ombudsman who has conducted an investigation into Taser use by New South Wales Police.
The full text of the news report can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-forces-new-weapon-of-choice-20120323-1vp3f.html
On March 29, 2012, the ABC News published a background report on the history of Tasers in Australia. The full text can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-23/tasers-in-australia/3905914
