New RCMP policy says Tasers potentially lethal, limits use

Posted today on CBC.ca:

The RCMP is restricting how officers can use Tasers through a new policy that recognizes the stun guns can cause death, especially when fired on "acutely agitated" individuals, the head of the Mounties said Thursday.

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott outlined the policy shift on the devices known as conductive energy weapons, or CEWs, as he spoke to the House of Commons public safety committee in Ottawa.

"The RCMP's revised CEW policy underscores that there are risks associated with the deployment of the device and emphasizes that those risks include the risk of death particularly for acutely agitated individuals," Elliott told the committee.

To read the entire article, click here.

Video:

Terry Milewski reports: Tasers potentially lethal, RCMP head tells MPs(RealPlayer, Runs: 2:13)

Audio:

Listen to RCMP commissioner William Elliott's testimony before Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, as well as the subsequent question and answer session, by clicking here (Windows Media Player; be patient, there is one minute and ten seconds of silence before the testimony starts in the English audio provided).

Also see:

RCMP commissioner William Elliott's remarks on changes to taser policy

New RCMP policy says Tasers potentially lethal

Photograph courtesy of CBC.ca.