More Regina police to get Taser weapons

June 28, 2006
CBC News

The Regina city police will be training more of its officers to use Taser-type weapons, a new report says.

The hand-held devices deliver a powerful electric shock through wires fired at a suspect. They're considered a non-lethal way of subduing a person, but they are not without their detractors.

The RCMP has been using them for years. So have officers on the Regina Police Service's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams.

Now, according to a report being considered by the Regina Board of Police Commissioners, Regina city police are expanding their use to front-line officers.

Taser is a trademark for weapons that are generically known as conductive energy devices, or CEDs.

The Regina police will buy the devices and phase them in over three years. It has already developed policies for their use and says it will train officers in "best practices."

The report says several coroner's inquests have recommended that police be given more options dealing with suspects that don't involve lethal force.

It also notes Taser-type devices have been controversial in some jurisdictions.

Regina police chief Cal Johnston said he would make sure other officers are properly trained and only use the device in approved circumstances.

He said any time one is used, it will be reported to the department's "use of force" board.