New Brunswick to have new policy on Taser use by end of January

December 13, 2007
The Canadian Press

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's public safety minister says the province will have a new policy on Taser use by the end of January. John Foran says his department is now looking at suggestions submitted earlier this week by the New Brunswick Association of Chiefs of Police. The association's president, Barry MacKnight of Fredericton, says the generic policy will provide a guideline, but each police department can adapt it for their own use. He says current policies for Taser use are already quite consistent across the province. MacKnight says the association and the department meet on a regular basis to review policy, and are not reacting specifically to recent deaths that have followed the use of the stun gun. MacKnight admits he's concerned his officers might question their use of a Taser during a confrontation, but has told them to trust their training and instincts.