Post by gearcruncher on Feb 12, 2009 21:30:57 GMT -5
The RCMP will restrict the use of Tasers under new guidelines which recognize that the stun guns can cause death, especially when a suspect is "acutely agitated."
The policy also aims to end the practice of Tasering suspects deemed uncooperative by police, RCMP Commissioner William Elliott said Thursday.
"We've now made it very clear that the only time the use of a Taser can be justified is when there is a threat, either to our officers or to members of the public," he said.
The new regulations were announced to the Commons public-safety committee on Thursday and come after several high-profile deaths involving the stun guns.
Elliot added that there was a "distinct possibility" that the use of Tasers may have contributed several deaths in Canada.
"I'm not saying there is a strong correlation, I'm saying that we have had incidents, I believe a total of 11, that shortly after being Tasered, individuals died," he said.
"Being Tasered comes with a considerable application of force, and the application of force certainly entails risk."
Additionally, the RCMP will bulk up the reporting system for Taser use and will issue quarterly public reports. Officers must also report Tasering incidents - including times when they've pulled out the weapon - by the end of their shifts.
RCMP officers will also be subject to Taser training every year, instead of the current training schedule which occurs every two years.
Still, Elliott said that the stun guns are much safer than traditional police firearms and he said that Tasers can actually save lives when used in the right circumstances. Additionally, the RCMP has not reclassified the Taser as an "impact weapon," as had been recommended by the committee.
The new guidelines come after several controversial incidents involving the stun guns.
Currently, a public inquiry in B.C. is probing the death of Robert Dziekanski, a Polish man who became disorientated at Vancouver's airport.
Dziekanski, who could not speak English, became agitated after spending several hours wandering through the airport.
Dziekanski died after he was subdued by the RCMP and shocked with a Taser, which was captured during several minutes of disturbing video footage.
The policy also aims to end the practice of Tasering suspects deemed uncooperative by police, RCMP Commissioner William Elliott said Thursday.
"We've now made it very clear that the only time the use of a Taser can be justified is when there is a threat, either to our officers or to members of the public," he said.
The new regulations were announced to the Commons public-safety committee on Thursday and come after several high-profile deaths involving the stun guns.
Elliot added that there was a "distinct possibility" that the use of Tasers may have contributed several deaths in Canada.
"I'm not saying there is a strong correlation, I'm saying that we have had incidents, I believe a total of 11, that shortly after being Tasered, individuals died," he said.
"Being Tasered comes with a considerable application of force, and the application of force certainly entails risk."
Additionally, the RCMP will bulk up the reporting system for Taser use and will issue quarterly public reports. Officers must also report Tasering incidents - including times when they've pulled out the weapon - by the end of their shifts.
RCMP officers will also be subject to Taser training every year, instead of the current training schedule which occurs every two years.
Still, Elliott said that the stun guns are much safer than traditional police firearms and he said that Tasers can actually save lives when used in the right circumstances. Additionally, the RCMP has not reclassified the Taser as an "impact weapon," as had been recommended by the committee.
The new guidelines come after several controversial incidents involving the stun guns.
Currently, a public inquiry in B.C. is probing the death of Robert Dziekanski, a Polish man who became disorientated at Vancouver's airport.
Dziekanski, who could not speak English, became agitated after spending several hours wandering through the airport.
Dziekanski died after he was subdued by the RCMP and shocked with a Taser, which was captured during several minutes of disturbing video footage.