Taming Police TASER Devices

TASER devices have become extremely popular within the police community across the globe for its effectiveness at disabling an individual who intends to harm those around him or her.

However in Montreal, a recommendation has been put to the police community that the utilization of such a self defense device only be employed if they are the sole alternative to a firearm and an individual’s life is at risk.

Furthermore, the nine-member committee who passed the unanimous recommendation is also proposing that the use of these weapons by the Montreal police undertake a suspension period until it is better understood how dangerous the devices actually are.

During a number of public hearings, representatives of the Montreal police described the 50,000 volt stun gun weapon as an intermediate weapon that would be employed as an ideal alternative to a traditional firearm.

The committee’s recommendation will also be requesting protocols for TASER weapon operation that is already in place as an alternative for firearms; these protocols will look at the lives of bystanders and police officers, and the risk factor involved.

One area that would see the use of these tools would be if the suspect’s life is in jeopardy, for example if the suspect was attempting suicide.

Additionally, the committees recommendation also asks that once the weapon is drawn, it must only be utilized on a suspect once; not only that, but the committee must also be notified if any training or technological changes are undertaken that may affect the police department’s use of the tool.

Similar to other police departments across the United States, instead of operating a TASER weapon on an individual who is mentally disturbed, police will be required to call in a trained person who knows how to deal with individuals who suffer from psychiatric problems.

Of course, the issue of these self defense tools has been ongoing for a number of years, after death related incidents have brought the use of the device into public and media scrutiny. But while the weapons have saved countless of lives, it will be a long time yet before everyone can be totally satisfied about its usage in the police force.