Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The police association says officers need new tasers now and cannot wait for legislation to be passed that would allow them to use body-worn cameras.
And a criminal lawyer said she was comfortable with the tasers being rolled out, because an investigation into the body cameras was also underway.
A briefing showed police warning Minister for Police Ginny Andersen in late July they had just days to seal a deal on Taser 10s to roll out from December, without the usual cameras.
These use wireless body-worn cameras (BWC) unlike the in-built ones on current tasers.
Police had previously discussed with the minister using tasers without the cameras normally in place to prevent misuse.
"There will be differing views on whether police should be operating tasers without the camera technology," police told Andersen.
Police's two external legal experts were "comfortable" with a rollout minus cameras, so long as body-worn cameras got looked at in time, it said.
Police Association president Chris Cahill said he would prefer officers had cameras, but the tasers police have now were no longer fit for purpose.
Police Association president Chris Cahill. Photo: Supplied/ Local Democracy Reporting
"And it's not appropriate for police not to have tasers in this day and age. They're such a successful less-than-lethal force option, both for the safety of officers, the public, but also for offenders and those who might be in mental distress."
Cahill said not having a camera did not change the risk of offenders and he would not like to see police resort to using firearms instead.
"If they are presenting with weapons or other violent activity that can't be resolved in a less violent way, they're better to have a less-than-lethal option such as tasers, especially these advanced tasers which are very successful in the trials I've seen."
Cahill said issues around data storage and access also needed to be resolved.
Police were also consulting with stakeholders in the community and legal system about body cameras.
Lawyer Marie Dyhrberg KC said police needed the tasers now because the current equipment was not fit for purpose.
She said there will be a period of time when no camera footage was available.
The investigation could take as long as two years, she said, but it was important to get it right.
She accepted this could leave some offenders vulnerable.
"But most of my clients, the minute they hear the word 'taser, taser' or that little red dot hits them, they just stop. They give up."
Dyhrberg said tasers avoid situations escalating and very strict rules about taser use will be in place.
