A criminal defence lawyer is campaigning for a Taser stun gun review after police used the weapon on a 16-year-old girl.
Queensland police face disciplinary action after they held down and used a Taser on a teenage girl who had defied an order to move on because she was waiting for an ambulance to treat her sick friend.
Premier Anna Bligh has cautioned against judging the incident while the circumstances surrounding it are not yet fully known.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) and police ethical standards unit are investigating the April incident that happened during a year-long trial of Tasers.
The girl had a charge of obstructing police dismissed after the Children's Court ruled last week that one of the two officers involved did not give adequate directions.
Magistrate Pam Dowse criticised the officers for overreacting.
Brisbane criminal defence lawyer Michael Bosscher said the incident highlighted the need for a review of the use of Taser guns.
"While a gun is regarded as a last resort and lethal weapon, there is a real fear police could use a Taser as a first resort weapon," Mr Bosscher said.
"It's fast and it incapacitates a person instantly and can be deployed without thinking.
"Without strict controls on its use, we could see Tasers being used for the wrong reasons.
"The April incident with the teenage girl suggests this has already happened." Ms Bligh said people could complain if they felt they had a Taser used against them unfairly.
"Obviously, Tasers have to be used carefully just like any other law enforcement tool that police have," she told reporters.
"Police have requirements to report every use of Tasers and anybody who feels that it's been inappropriate has clear avenues to make a complaint." But she would not comment on the specific case, saying she was not aware of the circumstances surrounding the police decision.
"I would caution against rushing to judgment," she said.
