RCMP recalls some TASERs for testing

On Dec. 8, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in response to CBC News/Radio Canada’s report that some conducted energy weapons (CEWs), manufactured by TASER International, had delivered a “higher level of electricity” than the manufacturer has promised - under laboratory conditions – prompted the Mounties to initiate their own independent tests of older TASERs.  

The TASERs that produced a higher level of electrical current in the CBC News/Radio Canada investigation were all manufactured before 2005.

The tests conducted by the RCMP on the X26 TASER model, showed, according to an official RCMP press release, that “all our CEW units tested were within the manufacturer’s specifications.”  However, the RCMP’s final report on these tests, conducted by MPB Technologies Electronic Centre, has not been released, and a spokesman for the RCMP National Headquarters would not confirm when it will be.  

According to Wayne Oakes, media relations officer for RCMP K Division, “as of Dec. 8, nation-wide, the RCMP recalled 24 units that were manufactured and put into service prior to April 1, 2006.  Of those 24, six came from Alberta and that’s six out of nearly 700 units in Alberta.”  It may seem like a small number of TASERs to test, but “they do have a life-cycling program where older units get replaced by newer ones,” he said.    

The local RCMP detachment currently uses the X26 model, said Cpl. Tony Dolhan. Sgt. Maludzinski, of the Jasper RCMP, said none of the six from Alberta being tested came from Jasper’s detachment.

Regarding the TASER’s controversial use, according to the RCMP, the organization believes that “when used appropriately by officers who are properly trained, the CEW is a useful tool which contributes to the safety and security of the public and our police officers.”

The tests are being done light of the recent crown decision in BC not to charge the RCMP officers who used a TASER on the erratically-acting polish immigrant, Robert Dziekanski, in Vancouver International Airport in October 2007.  International human rights group, Amnesty International has also, in a new report, called for a moratorium on the use of stun guns.  

This is a developing story.