Party against tasers
THE National Federation Party says members of the Fiji Police Force should never be armed with taser guns or any other weapons that discharge force designed to kill people.
NFP president Pio Tikoduadua said Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho was confused when suggesting that they were looking at the option of taser guns when he, himself admitted that the weapon was dangerous and could take lives.
Brig-Gen Qiliho said on Tuesday the introduction of tasers was being studied in light of recent attacks on lawmen and women.
“The Police Commissioner is rightly concerned that his officers should not be used as punching bags,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
“In fact no person should ever be used as a punching bag by anyone. We only hope that the recent incidents are in no way linked to the numerous reports and incidents of violence against ordinary unsuspecting citizens by members of the security forces, but purely lawlessness arising out of drunkenness.
“But the fact remains that a well-trained force should easily be able to defend itself from violent attacks. For police to be attacked by heavily intoxicated persons who are not even in a right frame of mind, let alone capable of exerting physicality over an able person, more so if it’s a police officer.”
He added it was surprising that police officers were initially unable to defend themselves from drunkards despite supposedly having in their possession batons and pepper sprays to fend off any attacks.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the force would not comment on the issue.