Police told to use batons carefully

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 2

Police told to use batons carefully

PA Auckland Policemen had been instructed to avoid using the new long batons' near people’s heads “if at all possible,” said the Commissioner of Police, Mr R. J. Walton, yesterday. He was replying to remarks made on Thursday by an Auckland plastic surgeon, who said that two persons had suffered permanent eye damage after having been jabbed with the batons during demonstrations against the Springbok tour. Mr Walton said it was, unfortunately, always a possibility that injuries might be caused on occasions where the police were required to use force.

“Instructions to police

members emphasise the need to avoid the head if at all possible but in conflict situations, with both parties moving, one cannot ... always be certain where a blow will land,” he said.

The new development of people carrying shields, leaving the head exposed, could lead to a probing baton ricochetting on to the head. “The PR24 (long baton) is best used, from a safety angle, by probing rather than wielding or flailing, which could lead to more serious injuries. It is essentially a defensive move with the baton,” said Mr Walton.

“The police would very much like to work in a climate where the use of batons is unnecessary. But on

occasions when law and order are challenged, force must be used and the police sometimes require batons for that purpose,” he said.

“The alternative is to stand aside, or by weight of numbers be overwhelmed, and for groups to usurp the rule of law.” Mr Walton said that the alternative was not acceptable, and where situations dictated the need the use of batons was inevitable, with the possible consequence of injury.

Perhaps concerned groups could suggest to people who were intent on challenging the police that they should avoid placing themselves in situations which required the police to use force.