The Mental Health Foundation says new armed units being trialed by the police will result in people experiencing mental health crises being shot.
The special patrols are aimed at cutting down response times in serious call outs where firearms are involved.
The Foundation's chief executive, Shaun Robinson, says tells Karyn tasers are disproportionately used in cases involving mental illness, and he believes the same will occur with firearms.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
