Police chief defends reliability of new Tasers (letter)
Tuesday, February 21st, 2006(Copyright Edmonton Journal 2006)
Re: “Data stored in Tasers isn’t always reliable,” Letters, Feb. 17.
The letter suggests that download data from Conducted Energy Devices is not reliable. While there may have been data concerns with the older Conducted Energy Device models (the M26), the newer model (X26) is far more advanced and reliable relative to data storage and downloading.
The Edmonton Police Service has nearly completed its efforts to replace the older model M26 Taser with the more advanced X26.
In addition to the benefits of the newer technology, changes to procedures and policies recently made public will ensure that when a Conducted Energy Device is used, the data pertaining to that use will be immediately downloaded by a staff sergeant. The new policy also increases supervisor and management accountability, enhances documentation and recording requirements in the carrying and deployment of Conducted Energy Devices and provides for zero tolerance for the failure to report this use of force or the misuse or breach of policy and procedure.
Before Conducted Energy Devices were introduced, police officers had few options when attempting to control a violent suspect. There are many documented incidents in Edmonton where police have used a Conducted Energy Device to prevent someone from attacking an officer, or from seriously hurting another person or themselves.
In 2004, the Conducted Energy Device assisted in preventing eight suicides, 25 assaults against other persons and 58 assaults against police officers and also assisted officers in dealing with 13 weapons-related complaints.
The members of our training section are constantly researching the equipment and tactics used by police officers. This helps ensure the optimum level of safety of both the public and police officers. We are fully committed to monitoring recognized research, which to this date does not support claims of a link between Conducted Energy Device use and death.
I remain fully committed to ensuring that the EPS takes all necessary steps to enhance transparency and accountability, particularly as it relates to the use of Conducted Energy Devices.
Michael J. Boyd, chief of police, Edmonton