A former cop says when police are trying to subdue suspects, the situation can swiftly deteriorate. 

New figures released to our newsroom show Police have resorted to the tactical use of pain to bring violent or resisting offenders under control more than 2,600 times since 2016. 

Māori account for 48% of cases. 

An Auckland Council member, Alf Filipaina, says pain should be more of a last resort and must always be proportionate to what's happening at the time. 

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