Attn: Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

At your upcoming meeting:

Discuss the Criminal Code of Canada s. 269.1 (Torture) [LINK] and how the taser fits into that law (especially when used in Touch-Torture mode).

Don't forget that the x26 taser waveform is designed to incapacitate, and thus is about 2000 times above the level required to induce intolerable pain. [LINK] In other words, the Touch-Torture mode is so poorly designed that it is clearly above and beyond reasonable by any standard.

Discuss the fact that Tasers are 'Prohibited Firearms' in Canada and have been since 1998. [LINK] Did we forget? Doh! Do your policies and practices address all of the associated requirements? Oops!

Discuss 'firearms' in relation to the common use of the taser in Touch-Torture mode and the Criminal Code of Canada s. 87.(1) (Pointing a Firearm). [LINK] You have to point the taser (a firearm) in order to use it in Touch-Torture mode. And yes, the law includes 'loaded or not'.

Discuss the evil and unlawful Brotherhood (or Code) of Silence. Do your forces have an explicit policy regarding this sort of passive cover-up? I'm not saying it's a huge problem in Canada, but do you have a policy? [LINK] And who the hell had that reported 2nd taser in Digby?

Discuss amongst yourselves and agree on the simplest possible explanation for the following fact: Three coroners agreed that "Pikes died of cardiac arrest caused by the taser shocks..." [LINK] If you still believe Taser's world-view after this sort of taser-caused death, what next? Will you all stand around, holding hands, and sing their Taser company song praising the almighty taser? Puhlease - get a room.

Discuss setting a national taser training standard that all police officer taser training in Canada will henceforth include taser hits directly to the chest (not the back), with the darts aimed towards the location thought to be most risky from a cardiac effect point of view. Trainees may wish to wear a face shield to protect their eyes and face. If you truly believe Taser's propaganda about the degree of risk (they quote 1-in-10 MLLION risk), then you have no reason not to adopt this policy.

Please discuss the ethics of having overly-friendly relationships between the police and manufacturers of controversial weapons. Have you considered a more arms-length approach?

I hope that you have a nice meeting.