Recommendations to the NZ Police

1. Governments and law enforcement agencies should suspend the use of CEDs pending further studies or limit their use to situations where they are immediately necessary to avoid or reduce the likelihood of recourse to firearms.

2. Law enforcement departments should have in place specific guidelines, rigorous training and accountability systems for the use of CEDs that are consistent with UN standards on the use of force before such weapons are deployed. The training curriculum and programs should be independent of any company or commercial interests involved in the manufacture and marketing of such weapons.

3. Law enforcement officials should be trained to use all force strictly in accordance with the standards set out under the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. These require officers to use force only to the minimum extent necessary to achieve a lawful objective, in proportion to the threat posed and in a manner designed to minimize damage or injury.

4. All use of force training programs should include regular conceptual and operational training on international human rights standards, including the absolute prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.