Taser usage stats released by Nova Scotia RCMP

RCMP Taser Usage in Nova Scotia

"Deployed" - in reference to this material, deployed means removed from a police officer's holster (at that moment, officer's are trained to point the Taser

downward, not at the subject). The Taser does not need to have been engaged to be included in this stat.

* Tasers are considered for use by trained officers in situations where the subject displays active resistant behaviour. (eg. combative to the point of threatening

grevious bodily harm to themselves, the officer, or the public)

* If compliance by the subject is achieved after the officer merely presents the Taser, the officer will re-holster it.

Overall

* Between 2005-2007, Tasers were deployed 132 times by NS RCMP members.

* Between 2005-2007, 40 per cent of cases the suspect was armed.

* Between 2005-2007, 85 per cent of cases the subject was intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs.

* Between 2005-2007, 36 per cent of cases, subjects complied with officers requests after the officer presented the Taser.

* Between 2005-2007, five subjects experienced injuries from the Taser, all determined by health officials to be minor in nature.

2005

* In 2005, Tasers were deployed 26 times by NS RCMP members.

* In 50 per cent of these instances the subject was armed.

* In 77 per cent of these cases the subject was intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs.

* In 31 per cent of these cases, subjects complied with officers requests after the officer presented

the Taser.

* In three cases, the subject experienced injuries from the Taser, all determined by health officials to be minor in nature.

2006

* In 2006, Tasers were deployed 51 times by NS RCMP members.

* In 29 per cent of these cases the suspect was armed.

* In 41 per cent of these cases the subject was intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs.

* In 33 per cent of these cases, subjects complied with officers requests after the officer presented the Taser.

* No subjects experienced injuries from the Taser.

2007

* In 2007, Tasers were deployed 55 times by NS RCMP members.

* In 45 per cent of these cases the suspect was armed.

* In 64 per cent of these cases the subject was intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs.

* In 40 per cent of these cases, subjects complied with officers requests after the officer presented

the Taser.

* In two cases, the subject experienced injuries from the Taser, all determined by health officials to be minor in nature.



NOTE: Not included in these statistics is the death of Paul Saulnier after he was Tasered in Digby in 2005.





Training

* RCMP in NS have received Taser training since 2003.

* There are six "Master Trainers" of Tasers in Nova Scotia offering courses to members.

* There are 330 officers trained in the Use of Tasers

* The RCMP in NS have 97 Tasers.

* RCMP Taser training is a 16 hour course - eight hours of classroom time and eight hours of practical and scenario-based training.