Threat of Taser use often enough to quell suspects: police

Winnipeg police officers have used their Tasers 160 times so far in 2007 — but in about 40 per cent of the cases, simply showing the weapon was enough to get people to comply, a city committee heard Monday.

Acting deputy police chief Doug Webster told the protection and community services committee that Tasers have been useful tools in what the force calls "intermediary use of force."

In 65 cases, just showing a Taser or threatening to use it was enough to rein in an out-of-control situation, Webster said.

"Most of the time … it's been used this year, the display of the weapon itself or having that red dot on your chest is enough to make that person go, OK, that's enough," he said.

At other times, they deployed two small probes that are attached to the device by conductive wires and transmit electrical pulses that can immobilize a person. Sometimes police removed theprobes and used the Taser directly on individuals, known as the "drive stun" mode.

Probe deployments were used 50 times, and drive stun mode was used 45 times, Webster said.

Winnipeg police have not received any reports of serious injuries after Tasers have been used, Webster said, but in most cases when the weapons are used, medical help is called to the scene.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who chaired the committee that originally approved the use of Tasers, peppered Webster with questions regarding police policy on their use.

The committee asked police to report back within 90 days on the force's Taser policy and how the weapon has been used by police so far.