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Archived Press Releases 2006 31st August 2006

Let our cops defend themselves

(31st August 2006)

"Police trials in the use of the Taser have predictably drawn out all the criminal advocates and mad hatters out of the woodwork," says Sensible Sentencing Crime Prevention spokesperson Marc Alexander.

"Its amazing that, in a time of rising violent crime, we have a gaggle of criminal defenders, so-called human rights advocates and a few politicians screaming like Banshees claiming that police should not be allowed to defend themselves, property, or potential victims because the well-being of criminals should come first. It's farcical.

"The Taser has been used effectively overseas saving lives that otherwise would be subject to the less friendly resort of bullets, or simply being allowed to hurt police and victims, and allowed to escape unnecessarily.

"It's no coincidence that this congregation of anti-police advocates either derives their living from defending criminals or draws their votes from them. Where are they when it comes to helping the victims of those they advocate for? They seem to encourage the wrong side of the rule of law by diminishing protections from it.

"They aren't the ones who go out and put life and limb on the line to uphold the law. They have the luxury in being able to live, protected by the law, whilst making it harder on those who assert it on their behalf.

"Those who choose to commit crimes should never be advantaged over the police whose task it is to prevent and apprehend them. It is a thin line between civil society and outright anarchy but these anti-Taser advocates are pushing to make even more anorexic. They need to think again. We must let our cops defend themselves as they try and defend us.

"The most troubling aspect of those that argue against the use of the Taser is that they inadvertently end up advocating against the Police, the law the police are charged with upholding and, in the end, the legitimate rights and concerns of all future victims. That's the real shock."

Regards,

Marc Alexander
Crime Prevention Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Mobile 021 390058