A police psychologist says the new standards for police taser use still don’t go far enough.
Those new rules come into effect Monday, and are based on the recommendations of Commissioner Thomas Braidwood’s 2009 inquiry into the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski.
Dr. Mike Webster says guidelines are one thing, but what’s needed, is a further investigation of tasers.
“The recommendations are really putting the cart before the horse. They’re recommending that certain principles and guidelines be associated with the use of a taser, but they still have not looked at the taser in-terms of its health and safety effect.”
Webster testified at the Braidwood inquiry, claiming police agencies had been “brainwashed” by companies such as Taser International.
The new changes apply to all police agencies province-wide.
Among the rules, all officers using a taser must be trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
Vancouver Police constable Lindsey Houghton says the VPD has already adopted the majority of Braidwood’s recommendations.
“Any police officer who would like to be a part of the VPD’s conductive energy weapon program can apply to be a part of that, get screened, go through training, meet all the training standards that have been set provincially.”
Should a taser be deployed, officers must now provide medical assistance and have a defibrillator available.
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