RCMP Takes Action Following the Report by the Commission of Public Complaints Against the RCMP Concerning Its Use of Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW)

News Release

OTTAWA — December 14, 2007 —The RCMP welcomes the interim report and recommendations of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) with respect to the continued use of CEWs. The CPC report represents an important contribution to the continuing development of the RCMP’s use of force policy.
Consistent with the findings of the CPC, the RCMP continues to believe that the CEW is an effective tool that contributes to public and officer safety when used appropriately.
“The RCMP recognizes the need to take action on the issues raised in the report and is committed to making immediate improvements in a number of areas”, said RCMP Commissioner William Elliott.

RCMP policy will be amended to more clearly define use of force terminology and limit the use of CEWs to situations where a subject is displaying combative behaviors or is being actively resistant. An operational bulletin outlining these policy amendments was issued today. These changes will also be incorporated in all future CEW training initiatives.

The CPC has emphasized the importance of data collection and analysis in developing effective use of force policy related to CEWs. The RCMP will enhance its CEW data base, establish more robust reporting and analytical processes and provide quarterly and annual reports on all use of force incidents including those involving CEWs. We will also establish a position in our National Headquarters to better coordinate these critical aspects of our use of force policy framework to ensure accountability at all levels.

The RCMP recognizes the importance of research in the development of use of force policies and the assessment of models, tools and techniques. We will continue to work in close partnership with medical experts, policing partners such as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Police Research Centre, and other stakeholders, to examine medical, legal, and social aspects of use of force issues, including CEWs, and their impact on persons suffering from Excited Delirium Syndrome. Ongoing research will continue to inform our policy development process.
Members of the RCMP are being reminded that the RCMP use of force policies, which include use of CEWs, must be the basis for all interventions involving the use of force and that members will continue to be held accountable for the decisions and actions they take.
The RCMP will continue to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders on this critical national policing issue and will cooperate fully with the CPC as it develops its final report.

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For more information please contact:
RCMP Media Relations
(613) 993-2999

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RCMP Takes Action Following the Report by the Commission of Public Complaints Against the RCMP Concerning Its Use of Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW)

News Release

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