www.westernwheel.com/news-tasers.htm -
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Published on: 11/28/2007
Last Visited: 11/28/2007
Patrick Webb.He said RCMP procedures outline the appropriate circumstances where an officer can use a taser.According to Webb, tasers can be used when a person is deemed to be resistant by officers.He said the range of tools that RCMP officers can use include the presence of a police officer, verbal intervention, empty hand control (holding a person), aerosols (pepper spray), impact tools such as batons, tasers and lethal force."That's our array of possible intervention.Depending on the situation, whether the person is cooperative, uncooperative, a little bit resistant, combative or threatening bodily harm, then it's up to the RCMP member involved in the situation to pick the right tools," said Webb.
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When a taser is used, Webb said it should be the preferred tool at that time and, under the right circumstances, each response could be considered appropriate."All those things could and should be present , they're all options," he said.While officers want to use the least amount of intervention possible, they are prepared to adjust their response to the circumstance.In some cases, he said the threat of a weapon is enough to get compliance from an individual. "The biggest point to be made is it is a tool that's there, but it doesn't have to necessarily be used," he said. Eighteen deaths have occurred in Canada after people were tasered, however, none have been directly attributed to the use of a taser.Webb also said people have died after being exposed to aerosols and empty hand techniques.