This article discusses the introduction of a new police tool,  Weapon Wand, a compact, non-contact metal detection device designed to identify edged weapons. It was presented to the Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) by Opposition Police Shadow David Southwick MP. 

Key Features of the Weapon Wand: 

·         Compact and holster-compatible for police utility belts. 

·         Detects metal without physical contact. 

·         Provides subtle alerts to avoid embarrassing individuals during scans. 

Context and Rationale: 

·         Rising concerns over edged weapons, especially among youth, make this tool essential. 

·         Public announcements about deployment should avoid specifics (e.g., unit numbers or locations) to preserve deterrent effects. 

Operational Considerations: 

·         Overloading police with equipment is a concern; the wand adds to this burden. 

·         Suggested that wands be vehicle-assigned or selectively issued based on duty type. 

·         Deployment decisions should be left to frontline supervisors, aligning with the new Chief Commissioner's philosophy of decentralising decision-making. 

Full story at : https://caainc.org.au/