RCMP limits use of tasers in Canada.

Aristartle · Feb 12, 2009

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/12/rcmp-stunguns.html

A day of reckoning for Canadians and finally some response. :cheers2:

New RCMP policy says Tasers potentially lethal, limits use

Last Updated: Thursday, February 12, 2009 | 12:53 PM ET Comments124 Recommend96

CBC News

Stun guns are hand-held weapons that deliver a jolt of electricity through a pair of wires propelled by compressed air. (CBC)

The RCMP is restricting how officers can use Tasers through a new policy that recognizes the stun guns can cause death, especially when fired on "acutely agitated" individuals, the head of the Mounties said Thursday.

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott outlined the policy shift on the devices known as conductive energy weapons, or CEWs, as he spoke to the House of Commons public safety committee in Ottawa.

"The RCMP's revised CEW policy underscores that there are risks associated with the deployment of the device and emphasizes that those risks include the risk of death particularly for acutely agitated individuals," Elliott told the committee.

Arizona-based Taser International, which makes virtually all the stun guns currently being used by police forces, has said its products — which are intended to incapacitate people with an electric shock — have a higher safety margin than Tylenol.

The new policy means an officer is now only permitted to use a stun gun if he or she is in physical danger or the public is in danger. The old policy instructed police to follow the standard use-of-force framework, which outlines when certain approaches are warranted. In the past, RCMP officials have said the policy meant an officer can use his or her own discretion to decide when to deploy a Taser.

Elliott said the policy is meant to stop police from shocking people who are simply refusing to follow officers' orders.

He also said RCMP officers are still required to report each stun gun firing or threat to fire, as well as to justify the use as a reasonable and necessary response to a threat to an officer or to public safety.

Officers will now refresh stun gun training each year instead of every two years, he added.

The RCMP did not adopt the all-party committee's call to reclassify the stun gun as an impact weapon.

Elliott said that's because it's already considered a prohibited firearm with clear policy restrictions for its use. He insisted the contentious weapons save lives.

Police use of Tasers has generated intense public concern after Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died at Vancouver International Airport more than a year ago. An RCMP officer hit him with a Taser shortly before his death.

The Braidwood Inquiry, which has been looking at the use of Tasers and circumstances surrounding Dziekanski's death, will continue to examine the use of the weapons by municipal police, SkyTrain police, sheriffs and corrections officials in the second phase of the public hearing.

With files from the Canadian Press
Click to expand...

This is the news that I have been anticipating and waiting eagerly for.

Waking Life · Feb 14, 2009

take them out of their hands completely.

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RCMP limits use of tasers in Canada.

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Waking Life Cool looking idiot

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RCMP limits use of tasers in Canada.

Aristartle Snow Falling on Cedars Lifetime Supporter

Waking Life Cool looking idiot

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