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Calls to arm NZ police after brutal attack
Source: Agencies |
December 13, 2010, Monday
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THERE were fresh calls yesterday for New Zealand's unarmed police to carry guns after a constable was attacked with a machete, leaving slashes across his face, deep cuts and fractures to his head and arms and severing a finger.
Senior constable Bruce Mellor, 57, was attacked and left to die after he pulled over two teens driving a stolen car late Saturday during a routine stop, Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said. A passing motorist spotted the bloodied figure lying on the roadside and called emergency services.
"I think the most telling of all the injuries ... are the horrific defense injuries" to his arms and hands as he fought to save himself, Bensemann said.
Mellor, who also suffered a broken jaw and eye socket and had several skull fractures, was reported in serious but stable condition yesterday after surgery.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said it was time for every police officer to have access to firearms. New Zealand police patrol unarmed, but pressure to give officers ready access to guns has risen in recent years.
New Zealand gun laws don't allow citizens to own or carry handguns and require anybody seeking to use a firearm to be approved and licensed by police. Citizens are barred from owning most automatic weapons.
Some reformers want all weapons registered and licensed to tighten controls further. Police Minister Judith Collins said she will listen to senior officials for more police access to guns.
Senior constable Bruce Mellor, 57, was attacked and left to die after he pulled over two teens driving a stolen car late Saturday during a routine stop, Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said. A passing motorist spotted the bloodied figure lying on the roadside and called emergency services.
"I think the most telling of all the injuries ... are the horrific defense injuries" to his arms and hands as he fought to save himself, Bensemann said.
Mellor, who also suffered a broken jaw and eye socket and had several skull fractures, was reported in serious but stable condition yesterday after surgery.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said it was time for every police officer to have access to firearms. New Zealand police patrol unarmed, but pressure to give officers ready access to guns has risen in recent years.
New Zealand gun laws don't allow citizens to own or carry handguns and require anybody seeking to use a firearm to be approved and licensed by police. Citizens are barred from owning most automatic weapons.
Some reformers want all weapons registered and licensed to tighten controls further. Police Minister Judith Collins said she will listen to senior officials for more police access to guns.
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