RCMP boss rejects idea of suspending taser use as controversy rages

December 11, 2007
The Canadian Press

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott is "whoa-fully" out of touch.

An RCMP friend sent this to me today:



OTTAWA - The head of Canada's national police force says he sees no need to suspend RCMP use of Tasers amid growing concern about the police stun guns.

Commissioner William Elliott says a moratorium on Taser use could compromise the safety of both officers and the public. Elliott says the Mounties are very interested in a report on the electronic guns due Wednesday from the RCMP's public complaints watchdog.

But he says the force's preliminary assessment is that current policies and training on Taser use are appropriate.

Paul Kennedy, head of the complaints commission, said recently he wants to make sure Mounties aren't being "too casual" about firing stun guns.

Kennedy is probing the case of Robert Dziekanski - a Polish immigrant who died in October after he was zapped with an RCMP Taser and subdued by officers at Vancouver International Airport.