Death halts Taser rollout

15 Jun 2009, 8:33 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The man died minutes after being shocked by a Taser like this one (getty).

The man died minutes after being shocked by a Taser like this one (getty).

Tasers won’t be issued to Queensland for a month because of an investigation into the death of a man who was repeatedly stunned.

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Queensland's rollout of Taser stun guns will be put on hold for four weeks as authorities investigate how police have used the weapons.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission and Queensland Police Service have launched a joint review of Taser training and operational policies after a north Queensland man died when police repeatedly stunned him with a Taser last Friday.

The 39-year-old man from Brandon, near Townsville, was the third death in Australia attributed to the use of Tasers. 

Review to come

Police Minister Neil Roberts says Taser distribution and training would be put on hold for four weeks, pending the outcome of the review.

"Currently issued Tasers will continue to be used by police in accordance with existing policies and procedures," Mr Roberts says.

"The review will run parallel to these investigations and will examine current policies and training practices."

‘Unnecessary’ reaction

Queensland Police Union's acting president Ian Leavers says withholding the rollout of Tasers is unnecessary.

"I think the rollout should continue," Mr Leavers says.

"I believe what happened in Brandon, there were other contributing factors (to the man's death) such as his health,” he says.

"The actions of the police we fully support because they acted lawfully and in accordance with policy procedures."

Commissioner Bob Atkinson says changes would be made in police training and Taser use if the review identified any need.

Premier Anna Bligh says the latest Taser death was tragic and the government was treating it seriously.
 

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