The introduction of tasers to the police force is under way.
Police have begun the reintroduction of tasers to areas involved in a year-long trial of the electric stun gun, which concluded in 2007.
Project manager Superintendent John Rivers said selected armed offenders staff in Auckland and Wellington would be the first to use the new weapon.
"Selected general duties staff in the trial districts (Wellington and Auckland) will commence training in February 2009, with the technology being available for deployment from that time." The use of tasers would be monitored with audio and video recording capability attached to each taser, and strict rules around its use were in place.
The rules identified clear operating guidelines and set down procedures if tasers were used inappropriately.
The taser would not be routinely carried by police officers, instead officers would be required to get permission before taking the taser to an incident.
In order to be issued a taser, an officer had to have an honest belief that the offender, by age, size, apparent physical ability, threats made, or a combination of these, was capable of carrying out the threat posed.
"We are very conscious of the need to reassure people that this new less-lethal technology is designed to provide greater safety not only for police staff but also members of the community when dealing with violent incidents," Mr Rivers said.
Commissioner Howard Broad announced in August that tasers would be introduced.
Meanwhile Canadian Police (RCMP) said today they would test 24 tasers bought before 2006 after a media investigation suggested older models of the stun gun could fire excessively large electrical charges.
The RCMP -- under increasing pressure over its taser policy -- said in June it would curb the use of the weapons, which are made by US firm Taser International Inc.
An official Canadian report made public in September said the Mounties did not do enough research on the dangers of tasers before they approved the weapons for use.
Last year, Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died at Vancouver's airport during an incident in which he was jolted several times by police tasers, then physically restrained.
The taser incapacitates people through a 50,000-volt jolt of electricity. Police say they are needed as a non-lethal alternative to firearms.
Critics have said it use has been linked to more than 290 deaths in North America since 2001, and not enough is known about potential health risks, such as heart failure.
Taser said there was no evidence the weapon caused any of the deaths.
