Tasers Under Fire

Since 2000, more and more police in North America have been using Tasers. These “stun guns” allow police to disable an armed and dangerous person with an electrical barb. They are the only enforcement tool less lethal than a firearm for life-threatening confrontations. Stun guns are used by 240,000 police officers in 43 countries around the world.

In June 2006, the US Department of Justice launched an investigation into the 184 deaths that have occurred in that country after the victim had been subdued by police with stun weapons like the Taser. The findings are expected in 2008.

In Canada , the weapons are prohibited under the Firearms Act, but police and military officers can use them. From 2001 to 2007, 18 people have died after being hit by stun guns.

At this time the Taser has never been named as the cause of death in any of the incidents involving police. While the deaths have been attributed to other factors, there is concern that the shock from a stun gun may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly if the victim is agitated, under the influence of drugs, or has underlying health problems.

Unquestionably, police need tools to control extremely violent individuals without endangering life.  Police see Tasers as the best option to firearms. However, their use in less threatening situations such as crowd control raises concerns. In many American jurisdictions, civilians can purchase Tasers. The weapons are virtually unregulated in that country, raising the possibility that they could be smuggled into Canada . In August 2005, news media reported that Canadian border guards had confiscated 173 stun guns so far that year—compared with 95 altogether in 2004 and 126 in 2003. There is no estimate of how many could have been missed. Police say Tasers are being used for threats, intimidation and robberies.

In 2005, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) commissioned a full review of scientific research, reports and data on the use of Tasers in police work, both in Canada and around the world. The Canadian Police Research Center (CPRC), a partnership of CACP, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the National Research Council of Canada, conducted the review. The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada, the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and the Canada Safety Council participated as third parties to ensure the committee membership was balanced and the public interest was represented.

The study found that the advantages of Tasers far outweigh their dangers. The risks are low and manageable, but police and the public need to be more aware of those risks.

The Canada Safety Council expressed concern that minimum standards for Tasers and their use are not in place; relying completely on the manufacturer’s specifications is not acceptable. A framework is needed to bring together the best Canadian and international practices in the form of stadandards to protect the public.

Updated October 29, 2007

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