Conducted energy devices will be rolled out to frontline police from late this year after the signing of a milestone supply contract.
The new devices – to be provided to more than 10,300 police and protective services officers over three years – activate an officer’s bodyworn camera when drawn so there’s an independent record of what has occurred.
The footage will include what happened in the 30 seconds beforehand.
Victoria Police has entered into an agreement with US-based supplier Axon for provision of its Taser 7 model which offers improved technology, accuracy and safety.
The rollout is expected to begin in late November.
The Special Operations Group, Critical Incident Response Team and police at 36 regional stations will be the first to get the new Tasers – replacing existing units issued up to five years ago.
General duties police at Dandenong and Springvale stations will at the same time become the first in metropolitan Melbourne to receive Tasers.
The rollout to remaining police and all PSOs will begin in April next year and run through until September 2026.
Victoria Police will establish special training venues to teach officers how to safely handle a Taser and upskill those already equipped with them.
The sessions will cover Victoria Police’s strict protocols on when a Taser can and can’t be used as well as processes which must be followed if they’re drawn or discharged.
Tasers give police another option when they’re dealing with high-risk, volatile situations. Often just drawing one is enough to bring a dangerous incident to a conclusion.
The Special Operations Group has had conducted energy devices since 2004 and the Critical Incident Response Team since 2005. Frontline police based at numerous regional stations were equipped with them following a trial which began in 2010.
Highway Patrol and transit police are included in the $214 million Taser rollout.
Around 320 metropolitan and regional police stations will receive a fitout to facilitate storing the devices.
Australian Federal Police and NSW Police use the same Taser model Victoria Police has selected.
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Shane Patton:
“This announcement is a major milestone in the rollout of Tasers to police and PSOs.
“Frontline policing can be dangerous and unpredictable and these devices give our officers another option when dealing with high-risk, volatile situations.
“Often just drawing one is enough to bring an incident to a safe resolution.
“Our specialist police have been using Tasers for almost 20 years and the public should have confidence there is stringent oversight of when and how they can be used.
“Linking the latest generation devices with an officer’s body worn camera also means there is an independent record when a Taser is drawn or discharged.”
