Police Commissioner Howard Broad has been criticised for his reluctance to take a zap from one of the Taser stun guns he is introducing to the police force.
The stun guns were trialled in 2006 and 2007 as an extra tactical weapon option for police and Mr Broad yesterday approved their continued use.
The trial began with a demonstration in Porirua which included actual tasering of police constables in mock combat situations, but Mr Broad yesterday didn't sound keen to put his body on the line in the same way.
TV One News said it went to police headquarters in Wellington to ask if he would be prepared to get zapped -- as police chiefs in other countries had done in the past.
"I'm getting on a bit. While I've seen people tasered, I'm probably reluctant to do it myself," he said.
A chief constable in Manchester and North Wales chief constable Richard Brunstrom are among those who have had the Taser treatment, saying they did so to reassure the public they were safe.
"If we're prepared to use this on members of the public when we have to, it's only right and proper that the head of the organisation tries it out for himself," Mr Brunstrom was quoted as saying.
Green Party list MP and Taser opponent Keith Locke said he was disappointed at Mr Broad's attitude.
"I think it's a bit hypocritical when the police have been saying for months that the Taser is safe and only has short-term effects that the Police Commissioner himself is scared of being tasered," he said.
