NEW RCMP POLICY SAYS TASERS POTENTIALLY LETHAL, RESTRICTS USE

February 12, 2009
The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — New RCMP policy recognizes that Taser stun guns can cause death - especially in "acutely agitated" suspects - and restricts their use to defuse threats.

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott outlined the policy shift as he spoke to the Commons public-safety committee. Elliott says the Mounties will no longer use the painful stun guns against suspects who are merely resistant.

Taser use must be reported with each firing or threat to fire, and must be justified as a reasonable and necessary response to a threat to an officer or public safety.

Elliott says the contentious weapons save lives, and officers will now refresh Taser training each year instead of every two years.

The RCMP did not adopt the all-party committee's call to reclassify the Taser as an impact weapon.

Elliott says that's because it's already considered a prohibited firearm with clear policy restrictions for its use.