CTV News | Senator calls for moratorium on RCMP Taser use

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Senator calls for moratorium on RCMP Taser use

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Canada AM: Sen. Colin Kenny speaks from Ottawa
Canada AM: Vancouver Bureau Chief Todd Battis

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Nov. 27 2007 8:19 AM ET

A moratorium on Taser use by the RCMP should be imposed until everyone is assured that officers issued the weapons are properly trained, says Sen. Colin Kenny.

The appropriate time to use them "is ... when someone is threatened or someone is in danger," the chair of the Senate defence and national security committee told Canada AM on Tuesday.

Kenny said police may wish to consider a different type of Taser.

"There are Tasers that actually record a picture of what the Taser's aiming at, and they record it on a little tape and they record the sound."

This would make the officer think twice before using the Taser and would give a reviewing officer a record of what happened, he said.

Kenny said he was speaking in general terms and not specifically about the case of Robert Dziekanski, the Polish immigrant who died following a confrontation with police at Vancouver International Airport in the early-morning hours of Oct. 14.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) released its report into the Dziekanski affair on Monday.

Alain Jolicoeur, president of the federal agency, said it would move to improve translation services at the airport and make changes in the way it deals with international travellers.

The CBSA will also extend video surveillance of the areas under its control within the airport, he said.

Kenny said he's reviewed the five recommendations.

"The most obvious concern to me is when the individual came to primary inspection, there was clearly a communications problem. And at that point, there should have been an escort to take the individual through to secondary," he said.

Dziekanski -- who came to Canada to be with his mother, Zofia Cisowski of Kamloops, B.C. -- went through primary inspection at 4:09 p.m. on Oct. 13.

He went in the direction of the secondary inspection area, but then ended up in the baggage carousel area, where he remained for more than six hours.

Cisowski's husband made inquiries about Dziekanski at 7 p.m., but CBSA officials said no one fitting Dziekanski's description was found.

Dziekanski tried to leave the baggage area at 10:40 p.m. A border services officer directed him to the secondary inspection area. By that time, his mother had already left for Kamloops.

Joliceur said an officer who spoke a "limited" amount of Polish was available to help Dziekanski; however, that individual was never called on again during the evening.

Dziekanski cleared secondary inspection at 11:30 p.m.

A sweating, distressed Dziekanski started acting out at about 1:20 a.m. Airport security called the RCMP, and officers used a Taser to shock Dziekanski at least twice.

The 40-year-old lost consciousness and died.

"I don't know how customs can clear somebody to come into the country if they can't communicate with them," Kenny said.

There are translation services available off-site, he said.

The CBSA report is one of at least eight reviews into the Dziekanski case, including a public inquiry launched by British Columbia and a federal inquiry into the RCMP's use of Tasers.

Please Add Comments( )

Allan
said
0 0

Ever had to take down someone who was HIV or Hep C positive? In this day and age, people who don't comply can be a threat. While I agree that a Taser review is definitely in order, I think the cheaper alternative is: why not stop breaking the law?


D
said
0 0

Not a good idea. Unless they get to shoot the bastards instead. The Taser protects the RCMP.


Jeebus
said
0 0

The idea behind the Taser is a good one. It was meant to stop a suspect were normally a firearm would be used. Unfortunately I feel it is easier for a some law enforcement people to use the Taser in place of muscle. Police are here to help people and not just there to get the job done. A little restraint and compassion would have gone a long way.


chris
said
0 0

Great... so now ours Officers are going to have to get hurt before they can use their approved weapons. Why don't we start arming them with silly string and sling shots? Wait, they're both dangerous too... never mind. I have an idea... let's give the RCMP an impossible task, then give them crap for doing it. Sound Canadian? Sure does...


Fed-Up in NS
said
0 0

I am retired RCMP, and I see absolutely no positive use from this Taser device. When I was in the force we did not even have pepper spray, and managed to do things just fine. These weapons should be taken away from all police, as they are just "bully" weapons, and are being used in exactly that fashion. It's obvious the RCMP are not responsible enough to have them. Maybe we should also be taking away their firearms, like police in Nfld. and the UK? Then you would see the real people who are not on some sort of "ego" trip because they have that gun on their side, actually be police officers. Bet you'd have a whole different set of psychological profiles for applicants if that happened. People who were actually there for the right reasons.
A moratorium will only do any good if it results in a complete ban. Letting them have time to get better training, well that's just a joke. Take them away!


Moe
said
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Oh, Oh...now the Politicians are involved. Let's make the Police so nervous about doing anything wrong that they will hesitate in a dangerous situation. Do a few cops have to die for this nonsense to stop? Where is the sanity in all of this, lets just chill-out and let the investigation finish before making a decision. Only then can we make a proper decision on the issue of Tasers.


dwayne-ottawa
said
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Maybe we should get rid of the power tripping cops who tend to have a bit too much testestron for the job, whatever happened to basic tactical conversation? when the law uses force it will be met with force. how can anyone assess the situation in 25 seconds it takes that long to understand what is going on there is a breakdown of communications that is what has to be fixed.


Darren
said
0 0

The taser was put into use to give a safe alternative for deadly force, being shot. Now if a police officer has to shoot a violent offender where the taser could have been used will we take the guns away from the police.


D.R. - Calgary
said
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I have a close friend who is a police officer. And the way Mr. Kenny talks, he must think that the police have all kinds of time to ponder what their next step should be. "make the officer think twice before using the Taser".? That thought could very well cost our officers their lives. They will be more worried about that, than the criminal coming at them. They don't have time to stop and ponder these things. Although, I do agree that the use of them have become more mainstream and a review in their use is needed. But it is ridiculous to think that we should stop using them. The alternative is a gun with bullets. Then the bleeding heart liberals will want them banned so no criminal will ever be hurt again. Typical nonsense from the elite left again. sheesh.


buck wraight
said
0 0

Now what do the police do to protect themselves against some unmedicated, drunken fool that is a threat to the rest of society? The mistake in Vancouver wasn't the response by the police but the lack of help for the man prior to the incident. Make changes there first.


Rights and freedoms.....
said
0 0

Allan ashed:
"...why not stop breaking the law?"
But wait! This is the land of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
I have my rights!
Why should I stop breaking the law? Just because I want to do things my way, and ignore the rights and freedoms of other people, that does not mean that I have no rights!
A good tax payer-supplied lawyer should be able to tell you all about that!
And those cops that put their lives on the line to protect you from people like me?
Well, they chose their dangerous profession, didn't they?


isn't officer american, imagine that from UShaters
said
0 0

I would assume this guy would still be alive if the constables only had firearms. NS is right these have just become bully weapons.


J.R.
said
0 0

Wow, i'm really surpirised by how many are against a moratorium on tasers. Maybe having one used on you when you posed no threat to anybody would change your mind. These things need to be reviewed, maybe not banned, but definitely reviewed. while the term "non-lethal" is questionable, I think there's no question that improper use of them can very well be lethal.


A Citizen
said
0 0

Tasers were never meant to be a health and safety device for cops who think policing should be a risk free job.



Brad
said
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I have been a policeman for 19 years. First of all I don't believe that fed up in NS was a policeman because nobody who has had to deal with unpredictable and/or drugged people would make such a ridiculous statement. Unexplained deaths should be investigated but let's not lose our perspective here.....these weapons are deployed hundreds of times daily across this country saving numerous lives and many others, including suspects, from more serious injuries. Quit with the knee-jerk reactions and take a look at their COMPLETE record of use including the fact that tens of thousands of cops have been hit with them in training and NONE of them have died.


Will
said
0 0

It's pretty simple, they shouldn't have tasered him twice regardless, and they shouldn't have hit him while he was already down on the ground handcuffed. He put his hands up, they didn't need to taser him at all, but they didn't even bother doing their jobs, they just wanted to get done so they could leave. Police are here to protect people, not "do a job".


Patrick
said
0 0

I have full trust in the RCMP, and I respect their authority,but I believe I am in the minority in this regard. This is a crazy cruel world we live in and I wouldn't want to be a police officer without the proper protection. If the people don't want the tazer used then just do what the police tell them to do. I have never heard of someone dropping dead from handcuffs or stepping into a police cruiser. I think we are forgetting who is to blame for a criminal or dangerous act, possibly the perpitrator. I haven't heard from too many police officers complaining about tazers. Only the sheep(Canadian citizens and politicians) are complaining.


Jim Burgess
said
0 0

Tasers are obviously not being used just for situations where deadly force would be the alternative. They are also not being used in accordance with the tested and approved proceedures recommended by the makers of the device. It seems a bit like the wild west days when tasers are involved. We have a lot of great cops, a lot of good ones, and we have some cowboys too! We have to keep these out of the hands of the cowboys. Device monitors that record the use, video the scene, and make the cowboys tone down their attitudes, are what is necessary to control the cowboy cops.


Ron J.
said
0 0

Spoken like a true person who knows nothing about the topic.

I've been tasered. I've been pepper sprayed. Pepper spray is much worse. I've never been shot by police, but I'm real sure that would be even worse yet!!




Ernie
said
0 0

I would like to point out that some people not in uniform are not criminals. Not very a great number but they do pay for police protection. If you tazer them all the money will not be there to pay the officers wages.


Smerg
said
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I like these two statements some people made!
“Make the officer think twice before using the Taser, That thought could very well cost our officers their lives” and “Do a few cops have to die for this nonsense to stop” well how many unarmed civilians have to die?



Jon
said
0 0

I have kept up with this story since the beginning. I have read all the peoples comments about how the taser is to protect the police. How it is to keep them safe. Through the years I have known many RCMP officers,the majority are professional caring individuals. The odd ones give the rest a bad name. They are on a power trip. You have all met them at one time or another and know what I mean. Now a story. Two years ago in Hazalton B.C.,a 13 year old girl. It is around 11:00 p.m. and she and her friends are hanging around. Police arrive tell them to go home and the 13 year old tells them to get lost. Police officer tasers her she fall to the ground and he tasers her again.
Mother finds out takes daughter to hospital gets her checks out and makes sure there is a medical record. Then gets hospital to take pictures of puncture wounds. Next day tries to make report with RCMP. Is told no report will be taken, if officer felt he was in danger that is only excuse he needs to use taser.
Did I mention yet,that the 13year old is 4ft nothing and less then 100 lbs.


NO
said
0 0

I'm with "Fed Up in NS". What kind of threat is appropriate. Violent I hope. The Taser is used to bully people who are not compliant...but is that threatening? My feeling is that police protocol is to react with tasers as soon as anyone in the public suggests another person is "psycho", or irritated, or appears irrational, etc. Police arrive with tasers in hand. For example if someone with mental illness type of behavior is reported to Police or 911 the assumption is that these people have no rights and deserve an electric shot or two. If they live they will never speak out. Now that is what I call discriminatory actions. No bullying.


mick
said
0 0

Today's police have isolated themselves from the communities that they are supposed to be protecting, you fear what you do not understand, this is why they have an obsession with any type of weapon that they can use to what they feel is a tactical advantage.


Alison Beil
said
0 0

Why do you think it was so necessary to "take down" someone who was obviously innocent of any wrongdoing - except threatening to damage some airport property for desperation of not knowing how to speak a language so he could get somewhere to obtain a drink of water, some food, or a place to lie down and rest? Guards, doctors and nurses in hospitals and emergency wards have to come into contact with HIV and Hep C positive people every day. They don't use tasers - they use kindness and rubber gloves.

FreakAlert
said
0 0

What is simply needed is a better selection process for becoming a police officer.

Some of these officers with the responsibility of authority should not look at any excuse to use a taser but look at the excuses not to use it.




Norm in Mexico
said
0 0

Tasers are an excellent manner of controlling an unstable person. However in the Vancouver incident, both officers Tasered the man almost simultaneously. Maybe one not knowing instantly that the other had fired. Perhaps as in baseball, where two men are running for a fly ball, one would shout "My ball" and the other would fall back. Only one would continue but the other stay as backup. It was a very unfortunate Vancouver situation indeed.


Archie M
said
0 0

Safety of police officers should be paramount. There are countless occasions when they have to use tasers to protect themselves from a threat,both real and potential.


Rob Weihnachten
said
0 0

I'd rather be shot than have a large electrical current passed through my body. At least with a gun shot to a non-vital area I'd just bleed. Medical science still knows so little about the human body and electricity. It is too dangerous to be messing with. We really don't know what the repercussions of Tasers really are. Also, Tasers seem to be used much more casually than guns. That is scary.


An immigrant citizen
said
0 0

I can understand why the poor Polish immigrant got angry but cannot understand why the police used the fatal Taser so quickly. The police should have utilized other ways to calm down a dissappointed person. DO NOT shoot at people so quickly and irresponsibly. The police should prevent violence but should not have violent reactions unnecessarily. Also, the relevant authorities should improve their services to really make Canada a welcome country for immigrants. They must not welcome new immigrants by ignoring them during hours and then violently treat them like that.


Alan
said
0 0

I agree and applaud the Senator's position. The RCMP, and perhaps other police forces, have not demonstrated care and due dilegence in several cases. It's time the taser is put away.

CraigW in Ontario
said
0 0

As a police officer myself, I have one thing to say to all the arm chair quarterbacks, excluding other officers who have posted on this forum.

If you think you can do a better job handling out of control people, then I suggest applying, get tested, go through the training, the probation period and then go on the road alone at 3 a.m and then come back and comment on how things should be done. Until then I would say educate yourself before making comments.

I suggest going face to face with some one who is HEP C, HIV, violent, MHA or just angry at life.

Remember when people are running from a person who is armed and dangerous, who is running towards them? The police. Someone's husbamd, wife, son, daughter, father or mother, brother or sister.


Allan
said
0 0

Yes, Doctors and nurses deal with HIV and HepC every day. And do you know who has to take someone down when they enter the hospital, under the influence of drugs, and swinging at EMS? Hospital Security. A takedown occured a few days ago, a patient who wanted to go home, started getting agitated, I dispatched two officers. Then he just lost it on a nurse. Security went in, took him down, and during the cuffing, he was cut on his thumb. One of the officers was also cut. It happened so fast there was no time to put on gloves. Oh, and he was HepC. While on his belly and in cuffs, he scratched one of the gusy and said, "Hope you're not cut, because now you're HepC. " The nurse was okay. But guess who now has to wait 6 months before he finds out whether or not he's HepC? The officer. This is in a hospital. Imagine on the street. Just because a takedown looks simple on TV, doesn't mean it's that way in real life. In real life there is no "do over" if you're infected. Yes, they choose this career, risks involved of course, but no one likes to take stupid ones. On the street you don't have the luxury of a medical file for every person.


sherry
said
0 0

The people we empower in our society to use violence have to be trained and act according to the procedures in place. We create these procedures because we know the knee jerk human response is not the best answer in tense situations.
The issue here is that the officers in question were acting out of order and did not follow the procedure laid out for them.
The airport failed to give Dziekanski the assistance he needed and drove him to the stressful state that led to the incident.

VancouverDave
said
0 0

See, this is why we need an independent senate. No MP could ever speak his or her mind in this way.


N
said
0 0

If tasers must be used, I like the idea of those Tasers that can record what is visually occurring. Tasers can be appropriate; if there is proper need to use it, trained police will use it without hesitation and they won't feel guilty at all, as if they're doing something bad. If someone wields a gun, points it around, or harming a victim in any way, will trained police hesitate to use a taser that records their actions? I don't think so. In situations that are scary, but not life-threatening, there are alternative ways to deal with them. I trust trained individuals will have no problem in these alternative tasers. Sure, someone could die, but then at least accountability can be somewhat evaluated. Unfortunately, there is a fine line separating the protection of the public and the life of a suspect.


CG
said
0 0

RCMP are egotistical power driven bastards who don't care about anybody but themselves. The taser in the Polish man's case did not need to be used. We saw no restraining arrest. 25 seconds into the confrontation (which NOBODY knew what was going on because of the language barrier) As of now, there is no difference between a firearm and a conductive energy weapon as they both kill people. STOP USING THEM.


Eleanor
said
0 0

Why doesn't everyone listen to the RCMP officer on here who actually knows what it was like to be a cop
(Fed up in NS) also ty for your service!
What happened to two or three officers just
taking a person and putting cuffs on him??
Many RCMP officers are decent officers protecting us but sorry there are a few whose power go to their head.
my opinion of the Taser is if it kills people ban it!!
Everyone deserves justice for a crime not death.
I

Scott
said
0 0

Brad (the police offcer) is correct that thousands of officers in training have tasers used on them with no deaths. Almost all will tell you that the pepper spray was much worse.
The problem is, these police officers are in general good health, generally not-drunk, and calmer than your average criminal, when they get hit. I think recents events are showing that tasers may be more dangerous given these vairables.
I think cops should be allowed to have what they need to do their job, but also comprehend the gravity of the force they are employing. Every police officer knows that there are checks and consequences when a firearm is used.
In the cases we have seen lately in the news, it's clear tasers were not being employed instead of firearms, as no police officer would ever consider shooting an unarmed person no matter how belligerent.


RRO
said
0 0

In every case where death has resulted due to Taser use, the suspect was resisting arrest. These are no innocent bystanders, these are persons breaking the law.
This is not to say they deserve to die but if you resist arrest then the options open to police prior to the taser where pepper spray and their billy clubs. Both have very serious consequences as well.
The taser is used how often and how many deaths have resulted. A lot less than if the cops have to pull there gun. If anything I think tasers make guns an almost completely unnecessary except in the most serious situations.
It's time to stop over reacting to a few unfortunate situations, being overblown by the media and brought on by people breaking the law.


Abdul
said
0 0

Sorry Brad but your statement that you "don't believe that fed up in NS was a policeman because nobody who has had to deal with unpredictable and/or drugged people would make such a ridiculous statement." is not accurate. I have been a member of the RCMP for more years than I can count and I concur with fed up in NS. Police today seem to think that our weapons are for revenge or punishments is shown in the video of the assault (which it was) at the vancouver airport. This must end and soon.


Just a guy...
said
0 0

Do a search on youtube for Taser and then consider the events in our own country and you start to wonder who is going to protect us from those who have been tasked with protecting us. We've lowered the bar - shoot "the taser" first and ask questions later. The Taser has, IMHO, evolved into a device of compliance for our "peace" officers...


Susan
said
0 0

I think that a lot of people are quick to criticize the RCMP, but forget that in most cases, these tasers are being used against aggressive CRIMINALS. Why do we fight so hard to protect the rights of those who don't care about others rights? Just because the Polish immigrant was mad and confused and doesn't understand the language, doesn't mean that he doesn't know right from wrong. A rational person does NOT throw around furniture when they are angry. I believe that destruction of property is criminal. I understand why he was angry, but I have also travelled through countries where they don't speak english, and I've gotten lost and been on my own, and had bad experiences but I found a way to communicate without getting angry and without putting other people in danger of being hurt. There should be an inquiry every time a taser is used, just like there would be if it was a gun, but I think this is being blown WAY out of proportion.


eric
said
0 0

This is so ridiculous. One incident does not a problem make. If, in this particular instance, someone was in the wrong, discipline them. There is no need to waste all the money on inquiries. We all regret the deaths but it does not seem appropriate to condemn all police nor the so-called weapon for what is really no more than an isolated incident.


Experienced
said
0 0

If tasers are tried out on police during training 'once' why should the test not be conducted twice or on a female officer. Practice in a gentle environment where 6 ft 190 lb men are gently laid on the ground certainly does not have the same effect. In no way should you compare the taser to a tickle stick or a joke. Flashbacks last a lifetime.


FreakAlert
said
0 0

I can see the taser being critical in some situations but what happened at Vancouver airport were not bullies having controlling daddy/mother issues within themselves but mere cowards.

Again, better screening and stronger mindsets are required, in my opinion, to be a police officer.

Umm..are opinionated comments okay, here??


Steve
said
0 0

It's a crutch used by police who don't give a s**t anymore. Police would rather use force today than reason. And I have been on the end of that force. After nearly 2 years of legal battles I was unconditionally discharged.

Rebecca
said
0 0

To Allan - what happens when you can see military vehicles all over your neighborhood and the law is to not leave your house because of curfew due to economic collapse? Don't worry, just don't break the law.


Tomi
said
0 0

Alternate Scenario:
4:08 Reports to Primary Screening
Referred to Secondary Screening
Reports to secondary screening
Detained and processed by CBSA for 6 hours without a translator.
Why is there only an electronic record & time stamp of his first contact?


anne8
said
0 0

I fully agree with Fed up in NS. Officers coming out of the academy today are not trained to handle any situation. They need far more training and more emphasis on public relations. If people are not as frightened of the police, then they would not become defensive when they see them.


John
said
0 0

Thanks Fed-Up in NS;your experienced advice is greatly appreciated.
You confirm my thoughts exactly. We are increasingly militarizing our policing attitude. They will `harmonize' better with US policing that way. Just take a g**gle at the S*P*P and N*A*U! This has to stop.


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