Manitoba reviewing 300 Taser incidents
Last Updated: Thursday, November 22, 2007 | 9:20 AM CT
CBC News
Tasers were used approximately 300 times in Manitoba last year, according to the province's attorney general, who's initiated a review of the matter.
About half the cases were in Winnipeg, Dave Chomiak said.
The review will examine each incident in Manitoba, the data available and the protocols in place.
Chomiak said he knows people are concerned about Taser use in the wake of the death last month of a Polish immigrant who was shocked by an RCMP Taser at the Vancouver International Airport.
"There's clearly a public demand that utilization of Tasers be looked at," he said.
Manitoba Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard is calling on the government to go further and put a moratorium on the use of the devices.
"Until we have very clear guidelines as a result of the reviews, we should stop using Tasers in Manitoba," he said.
But Chomiak said an immediate ban would deprive police of a valuable tool, and a moratorium could put police officers and suspects at greater risk in a physical confrontation.
Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen agreed, and said he was glad the review would take place.
"It is important to do a review of the use [of Tasers] and make sure the protocols are appropriate, that the police use them in the right circumstances and in the right way."
A Taser report is due on Chomiak's desk in February.
Canada's provincial and territorial justice ministers agreed during a meeting in Winnipeg last week to examine Taser use in their jurisdictions.
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