Taser-use study to be presented

August 16, 2008
Canwest News Service

MONTREAL -- Steve Palmer, executive director of the Canadian Police Research Centre, will give an update of his organization's study of Taser use in Canada, at a meeting of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Aug. 24-27 in Montreal.

The research centre, an arm's-length organization that falls under the Department of National Defence, was asked to conduct the review by the association after a Polish man, Robert Dziekanski, died when he was shocked with a Taser by police at Vancouver airport last October.

Palmer's presentation will be an overview of the report, which is not yet complete. The final report is expected next year.

"It's looking at safety issues, the medical literature (and) usage statistics," he said.

Taser International, manufacturer of the weapons, is a "platinum" sponsor of the conference, meaning it will get an advance list of participants and be able to attend conference sessions, display banners and signs and provide promotional items to delegates.

Other platinum sponsors include Loto Quebec, Motorola and the RCMP.