An RCMP officer in Kelowna, B.C., will be disciplined for using a Taser stun gun on a 68-year-old stroke victim over a parking violation.

Supt. Bill McKinnon said the incident grew out of a simple traffic stop that escalated when John Peters drove away.

John Peters, 68, says he raised his arm to try to protect himself before an RCMP officer shot him with a Taser gun.
(CBC)

The senior admitted he first drove away when a police officer tried to give him a ticket for double parking.

Peters told CBC News he then stopped a short distance away. The officer stunned him with the Taser once while he was still in his car, and again when he got out, Peters said.

McKinnon said a stun gun should never be used when someone is seated in a car and the officer has been suspended from using the Taser. He will likely receive a written reprimand on his record, McKinnon said.

"We have determined the use of a conducted energy weapon while Mr. Peters remained seated in the driver's seat of his vehicle was indeed inappropriate," McKinnon said.

Peters told CBC News that the RCMP apologized to him on Thursday before issuing the public statement.

"We in turn regret this particular action, and have apologized to Mr. Peters over this tactical error in judgment. I have ordered a Code of Conduct investigation in order to address the issue," said McKinnon.

However, the second use of the Taser on Peters, after he got out of the vehicle, was justified because Peters was combative and resisting arrest, McKinnon said.