RCMP Taser use continued to drop in 2010, says watchdog’s latest report

Published on September 19, 2012; Published on September 19, 2012
The Canadian Press

Topics :: RCMP , Commission for Public Complaints , OTTAWA , Vancouver

OTTAWA — A new report says RCMP use of stun guns continued to drop in 2010.

The RCMP watchdog found that threatened or actual use of the Taser by RCMP officers dipped 14 per cent from 2009 — continuing a downward trend.

In addition, the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP says actual firing of the Taser declined by more than one-quarter from the previous year.

The commission examined 597 reports filed by officers who either used their Taser or pulled it out of a holster.

Brewing concerns about Taser use bubbled over in 2007 when Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died at the Vancouver airport after being hit with an RCMP stun gun.

In spring 2010, the Mounties introduced a new Taser policy, saying they would fire them at people only when they’re hurting someone or clearly about to do so.

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