Tasered in the Bay

Tasers have been fired four times by Western Bay police since the electrical shock guns became available to officers in March 2010.

Figures obtained under the Official Information Act reveal Western Bay police have also drawn their Tasers on 56 occasions in the 27 months to June this year.

In the same period local officers have drawn firearms 17 times, but never fired them, the figures showed.

Western Bay police would not reveal details surrounding the four incidents where Tasers were fired, however the first occurred in June 2010 when a ''highly agitated'' and drunk man was Tasered at a violent domestic incident at Te Maunga.

The regional director for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Police Association, Wayne Aberhart, said the figures showed Tasers were having the desired effect in the frontline.

''When officers bring the Taser out, in most instances the offenders comply. Compliance with a Taser is certainly working. Fifty-six shows and only fired four times - that's pretty good,'' he said.

Mr Aberhart said the Taser was just another tactical option that allowed police to do their job in the best way possible.

''There's pepper, there's your baton, there's Tasers and there's firearms,'' he said.

''The guys that are Tasered are usually a threat to others. It's certainly less permanent that a firearm.

''It's for our safety and the safety of the public and it's great that we've now got that option.''

Western Bay of Plenty's area commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton, said local and national reviews over recent years had made Tasers and firearms available to staff when they needed them, although they were always a last resort.

''Members will always use minimum force in dealing with members of the public and will adopt appropriate tactics for the situation.

''A lot can be achieved in most circumstances by members approaching members of our community in an open way, meaning that for the majority of instances a simple discussion, greeting or hello is enough to start the communication or engagement process with those in our community.''

He said the issue of police safety was a very serious one which was why a range of options were available to officers.

''My preference is that we don't have to use force. My preference is that in every situation we're able to communicate with our community. However, in  reality, that's not always possible.''

In the wider Bay of Plenty District police have drawn their Tasers 196 times and fired them on 25 occasions.

This means the Western Bay is responsible for 30 per cent of the cases where Tasers have been drawn but only 16 per cent of the times they were fired.

Officers in the Western Bay were also responsible for 25 per cent of the 67 guns that had been drawn throughout the Bay of Plenty.

Mr Paxton said the figures were to be expected as the Western Bay of Plenty was the largest area in the policing district.