B.C. orders Mounties to stop using almost 600 M26 Tasers after failed tests

"Independent testing completed last month for the province [of British Columbia] showed the same models used by municipal police forces, sheriffs and corrections did not meet manufacturer's specifications 80 per cent of the time."

This is not just an RCMP problem - this ban must be imposed on police forces, sheriffs and corrections nationwide!!

June 1, 2009
By THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA, B.C. — The RCMP is pulling older-model Tasers nationwide after testing conducted for the British Columbia government found the weapons failed to meet manufacturer's specifications 80 per cent of the time.

Mounties say all of its M26 conducted energy weapons will be removed from active service until each unit is tested.

The announcement follows a B.C. government decision to order RCMP to immediately stop using 578 M26 model Tasers it had in its B.C. arsenal after tests showed the weapons didn't always meet specifications.

Independent testing completed last month for the province showed the same models used by municipal police forces, sheriffs and corrections did not meet manufacturer's specifications 80 per cent of the time.

RCMP pointed out that the results found that the units produced less electrical output than expected 90 per cent of the time.

Mounties say they still have more than 1,500 newer model Tasers.

The weapons have been under increased scrutiny since the October 2007 death of Robert Dziekanski after he was jolted with an RCMP Taser at Vancouver's airport.