RCMP willing to change Taser policy, inquiry told

The RCMP is willing to change its Taser policy if a new set of guidelines is developed, senior members testified Thursday at an inquiry in Vancouver looking into use of the stun guns.

Assistant Commissioner Al McIntyre said when the Braidwood inquiry is complete, the RCMP will adapt.

"We are willing to change our policy, we are willing to change our training and our utilization of the device in accordance with what is appropriate," McIntyre said.

Senior members of the RCMP said the weapon is useful, and it is being used with increasing frequency. The force now has more than 1,100 Tasers in use by more than 3,000 officers.

RCMP policy states Tasers should only be used when there is active resistance and should not be used when someone is simply running away.

"It's a tool to get people under control. It's not a method of restraint, so you don't use it to keep someone on the ground for ten minutes," testified RCMP use of force expert Cpl. Gregg Gillis.

Meanwhile, Canada's Public Safety Minister said he is not willing to ban Taser use by police officers.

Stockwell Day was asked Thursday whether police should still be using the weapon.

"Most police forces across the country agree that having Tasers, if they are properly used and people are properly trained, that they can be a life-saving tool. But the training has to be right, and they have to be applied properly and that's why the RCMP … is reviewing all of their methods right now."

Day was in Vancouver for a security conference, not to attend the inquiry.

The Braidwood inquiry is looking into the use of Tasers following the death of Robert Dziekanski, a Polish immigrant, at Vancouver International Airport last fall.