Cops reject not firing Tasers at chest

THE Queensland Police Union has rejected a Taser gun manufacturer's recommendation for police not to aim at the chest.

Taser International said police officers should aim at the back, lower abdomen or legs in favour of the chest, to avoid the risk of heart attack.

However, former Ipswich police officer and Police Union president Ian Leavers said any move to prevent police from aiming at the chest of an offender would be impractical and possibly endanger the lives of police.

“When police are forced to use the Taser, it is a high-stress situation,” Mr Leavers said.

“They are taught to aim for the centre of body mass and to suggest they should aim anywhere else would be impractical.”

Taser International said the risk of heart attack as a result of a Taser shot to the chest was low for most people.

Mr Leavers said the Queensland Police Force only used Tasers in situations where there was a risk of serious injury to a person.

“They are regularly used on knife-wielding people - it is not as if they are used just to make a person comply with an officer's orders,” he said.