Jury out on taser trial 

The police's controversial year-long trial of the taser stun-gun is coming to an end.

While police hail it a resounding success, opponents still say the practice is dangerous and want it banned.

To police, it is a valuable tool but to opponents the taser is an instrument of torture.

Police are withdrawing the tasers at midnight on Friday after firing them 19 times during the 12 month trial.

"I believe that all the uses have been fully justified, given the circumstances," says Superintendent Tony McLeod from Police HQ.

But the taser has been dogged by controversy.

In September, One News revealed three police officers had been injured while testing it.

Then Police Commissioner Howard Broad got a government ticking-off after he told ONE News there would be strong forces to arm police with guns if they did not get tasers.

A Wellington man complained of lasting health effects after he was tasered twice.

Now ONE News has obtained police reports that show police have used the taser despite at times heavily out-numbering the offender.

In one instance the taser was used on a man in a domestic dispute - despite nine police officers attending.

Also, a mentally disturbed man was tasered although seven officers were on hand.

Critics say the taser is open to abuse.

"It's a powerful device with the ability to stun people with 50,000 volts, and we give it to people - police recruits - who have trouble spelling and with basic numeracy," says Michael Bott from the Council for Civil Liberties.

"I've got grave concerns."

Commissioner Broad will decide whether to equip police with tasers in the New Year.