Lethal Force and New Zealand Police: The History, Law, Practice and Reality of Lethal Force Use by a Well-Armed and Capable National Police Service

This book challenges the notion that the New Zealand Police are one of only four global police services that does not have routinely armed officers, using arguments and facts from 2000 to 2019. It examines police policies, procedures, training, and structures governing deployment and use of firearms in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the independent oversight that now applies to fatal and non-fatal shootings by Police. It investigates how the police are using lethal force, who is being affected, and what this might mean for the service with regards to the operational deployment of firearms and the potential for use of lethal force within the community into the future.

Format: Hardback
Length: 251 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book presents a compelling argument that challenges the widely held belief that the New Zealand Police stands as one of only four global police services that does not routinely employ armed officers. The author utilizes a comprehensive range of arguments and factual evidence spanning from 2000 to 2019, a period marked by significant transformations within the organization and its complex relationship with firearms, particularly in the aftermath of the tragic Christchurch mosque terrorist massacres in 2019 and the tragic shooting death of a young police constable in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020.

The book offers a concise yet comprehensive historical overview of the Police, delving into its origins and evolution up to the present day, with a particular emphasis on its relationship with firearms. This contextualization of the law that permits the use of lethal force in a country that has abolished the death penalty provides valuable insights into the broader debate surrounding the use of force by law enforcement agencies.

In order to examine the policies, procedures, training, and structures governing the deployment and use of firearms in Aotearoa New Zealand, the book conducts a thorough analysis. It also explores the independent oversight mechanisms that now apply to fatal and non-fatal shootings by Police. By relying on 43 publicly released oversight agency reports and data directly related to police shootings, such as the demographics of those affected and the circumstances surrounding these incidents, the book sheds light on the patterns and trends in police use of lethal force.

Through its meticulous investigation, the book raises important questions about the role of the police in society and the potential implications of their use of lethal force. It explores how the police are employing lethal force, who is being impacted by these actions, and what these developments may mean for the future of the service in terms of its operational deployment of firearms and the potential for use of lethal force within the community.

This book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on law enforcement, public safety, and the responsible use of force. It offers a nuanced and insightful perspective that challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex dynamics surrounding the police and firearms in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Weight: 571g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031052682
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022