Nova Scotia orders police to shelve some Tasers
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | 8:03 PM AT
CBC News
Electronic stun guns
In depth:
- Taser FAQs
- What are stun guns?
- Excited delirium
- Is it at the root of many Taser deaths?
- Taser-related deaths in Canada
- A list of documented deaths from 2003 to present
- Searchable database of RCMP Taser use
- Data from 2002 to 2008
- Behind the scenes: CBC's Taser project
- How the story took shape
Documents:
- Response by Magne Nerheim, Taser International vice-president of research and development
- Posted Dec. 4, 2008
- Taser International's official statement on the CBC/Radio-Canada investigation
- Posted Dec. 4, 2008
- Analysis of the quality and safety of Taser X26 devices tested for CBC/Radio-Canada
- Posted Dec. 4, 2008
Video:
- A stunning debate
- Part 1: A joint CBC News/Radio-Canada investigation takes a closer look at Taser International and its claims. (13:51)
- A stunning debate
- Part 2 (9:34)
RCMP and Tasers
- Robert Dziekanski video
- Select footage from hours in Vancouver International Airport
- Use of RCMP Tasers rises dramatically, records show
- CBC News story from March 24, 2008
- RCMP Taser use: Documents show sharp increase in use
- May 13, 2008
- Interactive graphic: RCMP Taser use by province
- Last updated June 2008
- RCMP firing Tasers multiple times at subjects, probe reveals
- CBC News story from June 11, 2008
- Table: RCMP and multiple Taser use
- Last updated June 2008
Related
- Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP's report on RCMP use of Conducted Energy Weapons
- Final report released June 18, 2008, by commissioner Paul Kennedy
- Letter to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day from RCMP Commissioner William Elliot
- PDF file
News Archives
Nova Scotia's justice minister is ordering police departments in the province to stop using an older model of Taser after an investigation by CBC News uncovered problems with some of the stun guns.
The Taser in question is the Model X26, purchased before Jan. 1, 2006.
CBC News has been told there are seven in Nova Scotia — with the Halifax, Bridgewater and Stellarton police departments.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department sent a directive to the police forces to shelve these Tasers permanently.
It's a precautionary measure taken after a CBC News/Radio-Canada investigation found the current from some of the older Tasers was stronger than it was supposed to be.
The abnormal X26 model Tasers were manufactured before 2005.
Of the 41 Tasers tested, four delivered significantly more current than Taser International says is possible. In some cases, the current was up to 50 per cent stronger than specified on the devices.
The RCMP announced Tuesday it is pulling 24 Taser Model X26 units acquired before Jan. 1, 2006.
Sherri Aikenhead, spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia Justice Department, said the department went looking for the older models when it heard about the CBC's findings.
It's unclear whether there are any problems with the seven Tasers in Nova Scotia.
The Justice Department isn't planning to test the devices. Instead, the seven Tasers will simply be taken out of service.
The province has released two major reviews of Taser use this year after concerns were raised about the safety of the stun guns.
The Justice Department has committed to continue to follow the research on Tasers and make sure Taser use in Nova Scotia meets all standards.
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