Taser drawn in domestic dispute | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Police in Christchurch now have Tasers to deal with violent and unpredictable people - and they were put to the test

within hours of being issued this week.

The new weapon in crime fighting became available for use by police on Monday.

On Monday afternoon police aimed a Taser at a 30-year-old man thought to have a knife and who had been involved in a domestic violence incident in Shirley.

When confronted by police, he initially resisted being arrested.

Sergeant Craig Scott said a Taser was pointed to the man - who asked police what it was.

"He was told it was a Taser, and he immediately gave up," Sergeant Scott said.

The man was charged with assault on a female, three of assault with a weapon, and one of assault with intent to injure.

The police union says the Taser introduction is "long overdue."

"It fills in a gap between a lethal option of a firearm or a less or more highly physical option like a baton or pepper spray, where you do leave yourself open to assault," said Canterbury Police Association representative, Sergeant Craig Prior.

He said there had been more assaults on police in recent years. Offenders were willing to "have a crack" at police.

"If that situation arises, it (a Taser) certainly will make a difference," Sergeant Prior said.

Tasers work by delivering an electrical charge when the gun is pressed against the victim or through wires fired from a distance of up to 6m.

Sergeant Scott said in the Wellington and Auckland trials, about 75% of times where a Taser was only presented to violent offenders, they gave in to arrest.