OTTAWA -- The RCMP says it will restrict its use of Tasers after a report criticized the national police force for firing the stun guns too often, but the report's author says the "new" policy represents little change at all.
The Mounties say they will more clearly define use-of-force terminology and limit Taser use to situations where "a subject is displaying combative behaviours or is being actively resistant."
RCMP bosses issued an operational bulletin outlining what they trumpeted as policy changes. They plan to include them in future Taser training.
But a spokesman for the report's author says the measures are no different than what have always guided RCMP Taser use and will do little to curb what the report described as "usage creep."
"We are less than happy with the (new policy) because they don't deal with the fact that we wanted to classify it as an impact weapon for combative situations," said Nelson Kalil, spokesman for the RCMP Commission of Complaints.
"It's encouraging that they recognize that it's inappropriate to use in passive resistance, that's one step. But the matter of where it is on the force continuum... we don't think they go far enough.
"We're disappointed with the (measures) because they don't follow our recommendations."
RCMP Commissioner William Elliott told a news conference Friday the changes "more clearly define the use of force terminology and make it clearer that in certain instances -- including, I would say, instances where the Taser has been used in the past -- it's not appropriate to use."
The RCMP watchdog recommended the Mounties drastically curb their increasing reliance on electronic stun guns.
Paul Kennedy's 53-page report said the 50,000-volt Tasers should only be used when suspects are "combative" or pose a risk of "death or grievous bodily harm."
"The RCMP recognizes the need to take action on the issues raised in the report and is committed to making immediate improvements in a number of areas," Elliott said in a statement.
But police definitions of the behaviours cited in the policy announced Friday suggest little change from those Kennedy cited as problematic:
* Combative behaviour is when a person threatens force by punching, kicking, clenching fists or otherwise intends to hurt or resist arrest, or verbally or physically threatens assault. A person who physically attacks an officer or tries by other means to injure them is considered combative.
* Resistant behaviour is when, for example, a person pulls away, pushes away or runs away. A person who continues to drive away, or drives evasively after an officer has activated the police vehicle's emergency equipment is displaying resistant behaviour.
Tom Engel, an Edmonton lawyer who represents Taser victims, says the policy represents no significant change. Active resistance can be as little as a suspect pulling back their hand when a police officer reaches for it, he said.
"The RCMP have decided to do absolutely nothing," said Engel, chairman of the policing committee for the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Alberta.
-- The Canadian Press
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