Fredericton police to use Tasers despite controversy

January 10, 2007
CBC News

Fredericton's police department is spending nearly $40,000 to arm officers with Tasers following a two-year pilot program.

Police Chief Barry McKnight says officers have used the weapon, which delivers up to 50,000 volts of electricity to the victim, 13 times during arrests since 2004. He acknowledges the stun guns are controversial, but insists they are safe and will help police do their jobs.

But Fredericton activist Asaf Rashid says arming officers with Tasers is a bad idea. Rashid was arrested last May at a downtown rally. The officer who arrested him is facing an assault charge and Rashid says the use of Tasers in a similar situation could be dangerous. "One of the huge problems with Tasers is that they are classified as non-lethal weapons, and I totally disagree that they're non-lethal weapons."

Police forces across New Brunswick have been using Tasers for years, but not without some problems. In May 2005, Moncton resident Kevin Geldart died after RCMP used a Taser outside a city nightclub. His death will be examined at a coroner's inquest beginning Feb. 21. In September 2006, human rights groups condemned the Hampton RCMP for using a Taser on a 17-year-old boy at a house party more than a dozen times. The teen was later charged with resisting arrest.

Despite all that, McKnight says research by police agencies and the National Research Council has convinced him that Tasers are safe, when used properly.