Weapons’ use doubted

Press, 7 February 1986, Page 1

Weapons’ use doubted

:: jproteetjvez; ./weapons might not have helped three i traffic officers who were assaulted in Christchurch on Wednesday, said Chief Traffic Officer Barry Thackwell yesterday.

Weapons such as batons could have aggravated the confrontation. and caused more problems, he said.

One traffic officer suffered a broken nose when attacked by the driver and a passenger of a van that he and another officer had stopped in Barbadoes Street, near Bealey Avenue, about 8.30 p.m.

The driver was charged with alcohol-related offences.

A passenger made off but was later found by another two officers in Fitzgerald Avenue, near Armagh Street, said. Mr Thackwell. The man al'<?edly ilted thr

leg* ly assaul . me officers, causing minor injuries — bruises and scratches about, the face, and tom clothing. . The police later arrested a man.

The use of protective weapons will be discussed with the Acting Minister of Transport, Mr Jeffries, today.

Auckland traffic officers have asked for batons, canisters of Mace, or electronic shock devices. . Christchurch officers were still undecided about using protective weapons; Mr Thackwell said. , ■ He had talked to the officers,, who had been assaulted and they would abide 7 by the decision

made by the: majority of their colleagues: Reporters were not perofficers yesterday. Handcuffs, which had been issued after a. spate of assaults several years ago, were of some assistance, said Mr Thackwell. A “general feeling” existed among Christchurch traffic officers that they should be given powers of arrest, he said.

Traffic officers have only the same power as members of the public to make a citizen’s arrest Mr Thackwell said this was limited by conditions and times. The police were called in to make arrests for traffic officers.

Wider powers of arrest were wanted so that traffic officers could “stand on their own feet” Mr

Thackwell said.

Although ' the assault which broke the traffic bffieer*s“ 'iiose:. x was J ? the worst in a year, minor assaults such as bruising and tearing, of clothes happened every two or three weeks. All were related to alcohol, he said. “When people have been drinking they lose the ability to judge. They lose their inhibitions and act Impulsively,” said Mr Thackwell.

Assaults on traffic officers and accidents always dropped during forced periods of lower alcohol intake such as during hotel or brewery strikes; he said. More public support was needed to help stop the assaults, said Mr Thackwell. Drinkihg-and-driving was no longer socially acceptable.