Northern Territory Police officers will soon be equipped with next-generation Tasers capable of firing almost twice the distance of current devices, as part of a $6.5 million investment aimed at improving officer and community safety.
More than 750 TASER 10 devices will be progressively rolled out across the Territory, replacing TASER X2 units that have been in service for more than a decade.
Pilot deployments will begin in Alice Springs, Katherine and Wadeye before expanding across all commands, with priority given to frontline patrol officers and specialist high-risk units.
The new TASER 10 technology significantly increases the maximum firing range from 7.6 metres to 13.7 metres, giving police greater time and distance to respond to potentially dangerous situations.
Unlike the existing X2, which fires two probes simultaneously, the TASER 10 allows officers to deploy up to 10 individual probes without reloading.
Chief Minister and Minister for Police Lia Finocchiaro said the new technology would provide officers with additional options when dealing with volatile incidents.
“This is first and foremost about officer and community safety. Police regularly deal with volatile, unpredictable and potentially life-threatening situations,” the Chief Minister said.
“TASER 10 gives trained officers another option to safely resolve those incidents and, where circumstances allow, avoid escalation to a higher level of force.”
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the rollout represented a major step forward in frontline policing capability.
“Work has begun to train members, implement the new asset management system, update policy and governance arrangements and progressively retire existing X2 devices, without reducing our frontline capability,” the Commissioner said.
Training on the new devices has already begun and will also be incorporated into Police College recruit programs.
Existing TASER X2 devices will remain in service throughout the transition period and will be progressively phased out as officers complete training and commands move to the TASER 10 platform.
