Arabic version: شرطة الإقليم الشمالي تبدأ نشر أجهزة تيزر طويلة المدى

According to ABC News, Northern Territory Police will introduce 750 Taser 10 devices over five years, beginning in Wadeye, Katherine and Alice Springs. The first 100 tasers are ready for deployment.

The Taser 10 can discharge 10 individually targeted probes without reloading and has a maximum range of 13.7 metres, double that of current police tasers. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the rollout would focus on “hot spots” and “high impact areas” across the Northern Territory.

Commissioner Martin Dole said Wadeye, south-west of Darwin, would be among the first locations to receive the technology under the $6.5 million frontline taser overhaul. The community has experienced ongoing unrest since the beginning of August, linked to a non-suspicious death, he said.

Police have sent additional resources to Wadeye. In May, officers used oleoresin capsicum canisters, or pepper spray, to disperse fighting. Police also sought information this week after a 23-year-old man was struck in the foot by an arrow in an incident believed linked to unrest between family groups.

Training will be provided to serving officers and police college recruits. Northern Territory Police Union President Nathan Finn said software updates had essentially eliminated concerns about the ability to track the new technology, while other operational issues would continue to be worked through during the rollout.