More Tasers for Vic Police and PSOs very concerning
The announcement this week that some ten thousand more frontline police and protective services officers (PSOs) in Victoria will be equipped with Tasers is very concerning, according to a coalition of Victorian legal and community services groups.
“Given recent examples of police misuse of weaponry, like capsicum spray, and cases of serious injury and deaths caused by Tasers, this is a risky and concerning decision,” said Jeremy King, spokesperson for the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).
“There is a real risk that there will be misuse of Tasers down the line, and there will likely be a death as a result of their misuse.
“There are also questions around the role of PSOs in general and whether it is appropriate for PSOs to have weapons that can lead to the use of lethal force.”
The Australian Lawyers Alliance, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Human Rights Law Centre and the Police Accountability Project have joined forces to write to the Victorian Attorney-General with concerns about this announcement.
“We are particularly concerned about the increasing and disproportionate use of Tasers against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, which reflects the ongoing over-policing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria generally,” said Sarah Schwartz, spokesperson, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services.
“The money spent on these Tasers would be much better invested in prevention strategies, mental health resources and training police in de-escalation.”
Media Enquiries
Chandi Bates
Media and Communications Manager
Crisafulli Government’s shameful adult sentencing laws will harm kids, families, and communities
The Human Rights Law Centre and Change the Record have slammed the Crisafulli Government for passing laws that will sentence even more children to adult-length terms of imprisonment. The laws will lock up children for even longer, and harm kids, families, and communities.
Read more
Statement: Australia’s support for Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza must end
The Australian Government is obligated under international law to do everything in its power to bring an end to Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and blocking of humanitarian aid.
Read more
Rio Tinto to face scrutiny at AGM for response to Panguna mine disaster
As shareholders meet in Perth today for Rio Tinto’s AGM, communities living with the ongoing devastation from Rio Tinto’s former Panguna mine are calling for the company to urgently commit to funding long-term solutions.
Read more
Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Cammeraygal, Darug, Wadawurrung, Turrbal and Jagera people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
WARNING: This site contains images or names of people who have passed away.