CBC News - New RCMP policy recognizes that stun guns can cause death — especially in "acutely agitated" suspects — and restricts their use to defuse threats, the head of the force said Thursday. RCMP Commissioner William Elliott outlined the policy shift as he spoke to the House of Commons public safety committee. Elliott said the Mounties will no longer use Tasers or other stun guns against suspects who are merely resistant.
Stun gun use must be reported with each firing or threat to fire, and must be justified as a reasonable and necessary response to a threat to an officer or public safety.
Elliott said the contentious weapons save lives [once in a while, but they also 'contribute to' death, making it a bit of a lottery], and officers will now refresh stun gun training each year instead of every two years.
The RCMP did not adopt the all-party committee's call to reclassify the stun gun as an impact weapon. Elliott said that's because it's already considered a prohibited firearm with clear policy restrictions for its use. [LINK]
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