More Tasers included in RCMP budget

February 17, 2009
By IRWIN LOY, 24 HOURS

RCMP in B.C. plan to buy 40 new Taser weapons, according to a public bid document.

The move comes after the head of the RCMP announced the Mounties had tightened its policies on how the energy weapons could be used, and amidst an ongoing inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski, the Polish immigrant who died after he was jolted by RCMP Taser guns.

The force is budgeting $50,000 for the new Taser guns, or conducted energy weapons, according to the bid document. RCMP intend to source the weapons from M.D. Charlton Law Enforcement Equipment and Sporting Goods, a B.C.- based distributor.

The order is for 40 units of the Taser model X26E, a newer version of the M26 model that RCMP officers use. According to the document, the force currently owns more than 1,500 units of the old model.

The newer model, according to the document, "produces a more effective, and yet safer, level of current on reduced power requirements."

It also allows the recording of details likes date, time and duration of usage each time the weapon is fired.

When asked for comment, RCMP in B.C. referred 24 hours to RCMP in Ottawa, who did not return a phone call by deadline yesterday.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, frequent critics of police Taser usage, has called for a moratorium on the controversial weapons.

"It's disappointing to know that the RCMP is investing resources in a weapon whose safety has still not been demonstrated," said acting executive director David Eby.