14 October 2019
Our Reference: IR-01-19-23197
K. L. Ng
[FYI request #11049 email]
Dear K.L. Ng
I am writing in response to your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request of 25 August
2019. Specifically you requested:
“I would like to request the guidelines and trainings police officers receive on using
tear gas and other nonlethal weapons in crowd control.”
New Zealand Police do not use tear gas for crowd control nor do we specifically conduct
training for “non-lethal weapons in crowd control” situations. Training focuses on the
extendable baton and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray tactical options that officers have
access which may be deployed in any situation should a threat arise that necessitates
usage.
I have provided a copy of part seven of the Public Order Policing Chapter – Unlawful
Assembly and Riot. Sections of this document are withheld under sections 6(a) and 6(c) of
the Act.
Section 6(a) provides good reason to withhold official information where the release of that
information is likely to “prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international
relations of the government of New Zealand”.
Section 6(c) provides good reason to withhold official information where the release of that
information would likely “prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention,
investigation and detection of offences and the right to a fair trial”.
If you are not satisfied with my response to your request, you have a right under section
28(3) of the Official Information Act 1982 to ask the Office of the Ombudsman to seek an
investigation and review of my decision.
Yours sincerely
Superintendent Andrew Sissons
National Manger: Response and Operations
Police National Headquarters 180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.govt.nz