"The Taser is characterized as a less lethal or intermediate weapon both in the OPP operator recertification material and the use of force model," SIU director Ian Scott said in a release. "However, in this incident, the Taser's deployment in my view caused Mr. Firman's death." ... The "officer could have reasonably thought that the Taser deployment would not be lethal based upon his training," he said. "In these circumstances, and in light of Mr. Firman's demonstrated degree of aggression, I am of the opinion that the Taser's deployment was not excessive, notwithstanding the fact that it caused Mr. Firman's demise." [LINK]
Taser International falsely claimed that tasers are essentially safe. Specifically with respect to the possible cardiac effects.
They embedded these lies and deceptions into the training packages, that they control.
OPP probably relied on this defective training long after it had been obvious to everyone that it was flawed.
So the officer is cleared of wrong-doing because the failures were higher up the chain of command.
It seems to me that the OPP and Taser International are in the legal cross-hairs.
I recommend that Firman's family hire a very good law firm, and launch a MASSIVE lawsuit against both of these organizations. Eight or nine figures. Hit 'em hard. If the dollar amount is too small, then nothing will change.
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The primary good news is that this investigation only required five or six months. That tight timing is a very good thing.
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