Police use of Tasers defended

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The Police Association says the United Nations Human Rights Committee is out of touch, after it criticised police adoption of Tasers.

The committee has suggested he Government "should consider relinquishing the use of electro-muscular disruption devices", and ensure officers only use stun guns on people in incidents where they would otherwise need to shoot to kill.

However, Police Association president Greg O'Connor today slammed the suggestion as absurd.

"Perhaps they should be a little better informed about the state of violence against police officers in New Zealand," he told Radio New Zealand.

Officers were being assaulted in ever greater numbers, and many wanted the weapons as soon as possible.

Justice Minister Simon Power spoke to the committee and reminded them officers were unarmed in this country.

He maintained his government's policies were correct.

- NZPA