Look what we have to try to deal with...

Owen Sound Police Chief Tom Kaye, also vice president of the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs said... [LINK]

"Nobody, anywhere has ever been able to link one of these devices to anybody dying, ever."


Attention Chief Kaye - YOU'RE WRONG!!!!!!! Utter bullocks. Wrong wrong wrong.

Example, Robert Dziekanski's death was 'contributed to' by the taser. I'd call 'contributing to' a death as a good example of a 'link'.

Also, see 'De-spinning the spin' at the top right of this blog. There's even a 'cause' in there.

Coroners have linked tasers and death at least 50 times. This number would only be higher, except for Taser's long-running campaign. They're tried to shift blame to other purported causes. Also, even when a taser has been found to 'contribute to' a death, it leaves little physical clues. There's a fundamental 'proof issue'. And Taser will sue coroners over their findings. Add it all up, and the count of 50 can only be a low-ball number.

FACT: In 37 of the 98 autopsy reports plus two inquest transcripts reviewed by Amnesty International, medical examiners listed the use of a Taser as a cause or contributory factor in the death. Medical examiners or coroners reportedly made similar findings in at least 13 other cases where Amnesty International did not have the autopsy reports. [LINK]

That's running 37% of the 100 cases studied. Extrapolate it and you're looking at 37% of about 400, or approaching 150. But even 50 is much greater than zero.

Hey Kaye - would you like to submit a comment on your definition of the word 'link' and how it relates to tasers 'contributing to' numerous deaths? You can send it in and I will publish it (6 column-inches max). But then I will shred your pathetic 'logic'.

Care to take-up the challenge?


Kaye is also the chairman of the committee that has written Tuesday's report, has denounced the "hysteria" against taser use and promised the document will educate the public about the value of the guns.

Chief Kaye - take your report, which is probably based on utter misinformation as exemplified by your nonsensical statement, and shove it... ...ah, sorry... ...shove it, sir.


Personal note - it does get a bit frustrating when decision makers such as Kaye are so completely ill-informed and still operating under the influence of Taser's propaganda. This sort of top-level response from the CAPC is why the Parliament should seriously consider a moratorium. It may be the only way to reassert authority over such out-of-control law enforcement attitudes. Please keep in mind the fact that there has never been a high rate of police gun-play in Canada (it's the sharp-end of a fact that pops many a fear-mongering balloon).

Updated 21 Feb 2009 to provide additional references for Chief Kaye to respond to.