Tasers under review

November 23, 2007
Charles Mandel And Ken Meaney, CanWest News Service

The death of Robert Dziekanski and other incidents relating to the use of Tasers have prompted at least 10 ongoing reviews:

1) The B.C. government has launched a public inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski and the policy governing the use of Tasers by police forces in B.C.

2) The office of the coroner in B.C. has scheduled a May, 2008, inquest into Mr. Dziekanski's death.

3) The chairman of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, Paul Kennedy, is reviewing RCMP protocols for the use of Tasers.

4) The RCMP is probing the conduct of members in connection with Mr. Dziekanski's death at Vancouver International Airport.

5) The Commons public safety committee yesterday announced a separate investigation into events surrounding the death of Mr. Dziekanski.

6) The Canada Border Services Agency is producing a report about the circumstances of Mr. Dziekanski's death.

7) Nova Scotia Justice Minister Cecil Clarke yesterday ordered a review of the use of Tasers in the province, after the death of a 45-year-old man who died in police custody, 30 hours after being shot by a Taser.

8) Quebec Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis ordered a Quebec legislative group that has been studying the provincial government's policy toward Tasers to hand over its findings as soon as possible, CBC has reported.

9) Mike Quigley, director of policing services for New Brunswick, told The Canadian Press the province is nearing the end of its review of Taser use.

10) The Royal Constabulary of Newfoundland is reviewing its policy regarding Tasers and recently withdrew a tender call for 41 Tasers pending a review of incidents in other jurisdictions.