The 2024 Tactical Options Report (TOR) finds the use of force by New Zealand Police remains low, consistent with previous years.
"It's reassuring that even with an increase in our interactions with the public, we haven't seen an increase in the need to use tactical options," says Assistant Commissioner Sam Hoyle.
Out of the 2,617,486 interactions Police had with the public in 2024, only 0.3% involved the use of force/tactical options. That's one in every 338 events.
The number of TOR events in 2024 was just under the number of events in 2023 (by 17) while the number of interactions Police have with the public increased (by 1,630).
The number of TOR events and the number of violence offences both increased from 2018, but both stabilised between 2023 and 2024.
"Frontline policing is a dynamic, unpredictable and occasionally volatile environment. We can walk into highly charged situations and sometimes communication alone will not de-escalate the situation.
"While we don't want to use force, at times we have to in order to protect the public and ourselves. Our staff are trained to use the least amount of force necessary to bring conflict to a safe resolution.
"Police's Tactical Response Model and ongoing frontline safety training has ensured our frontline is trained, equipped, and supported to keep themselves and our communities safer."
Gang members accounted for 10 percent of TOR events in 2024 (up 1%) despite making up only 0.2 percent of the national population, Police are 50 times more likely to need to use force in these interactions.
In 99% of events where Police used firearms, they were only presented not fired. And the use of TASER has remained consistent with only the presentation of a TASER resolving most situations, and only one in five events requiring a TASER discharge.
"It's important that our use of force lives up to the trust and confidence the public place in us."
The most recent New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) found that 83% of the public believe New Zealand Police conduct duties professionally and trust and confidence in Police rose 2%.
The information in TOR helps Police to understand patterns in where, when, and how force is used, the factors associated with it, as well as risks to staff, members of the public, and the organisation. This can sometimes identify areas of interest or concern for further investigation and/or research.
You can view the 2024 report and previous ones at: https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/tactical-options-and-environment-and-response-research-reports
