Of course this is a flip flop on Zaccardelli's part since he supported Taser use while he was head of the RCMP. However, since he has flip-flopped towards my own position who am I to criticize him! His reasoning is interesting. He thinks that the efficacy of the taser is not worth the public relations hassle it costs the RCMP! He does also mention its misuse as well but he does not really discuss the harm and even death it may have caused those upon whom it has been used.
RCMP should end use of Tasers: Zaccardelli
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 3, 2008 6:28 AM ET
CBC News
Canada's national police force should end its controversial use of stun guns, former RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli says.Giuliano Zaccardelli, shown here in an interview with CBC News, has called for an end to the use of stun guns by RCMP officers. (CBC)
Zaccardelli said he supported the use of stun guns, commonly known as Tasers, during his seven-year reign as commissioner because they were simply another tool for policing.
But given the recent controversy surrounding police force's use of Tasers in Canada, the former commissioner has reconsidered his position, he said.
"And you know, after all that I've thought about it, I've come more and more to the conclusion that I'm not sure that having Tasers is worth the negative impact that it has on police forces in terms of public perception," he told the CBC's Peter Mansbridge.
"I think we should stop using it."
In interview that will air on The National Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, Zaccardelli says the problem with the use of Tasers extends beyond public perception to a matter of safety and misuse.
"I'm very concerned between the perception and, in cases unfortunately where we've had misuse, that we have to seriously consider maybe taking away that," said Zaccardelli, who is now a senior officer at Interpol in France.
1 comment:
"... he does not really discuss the harm and even death it may have caused those upon whom it has been used."
Agreed - and I believe that another 'harm' that has occurred with taser use is a loss of respect by the Canadian public. Tasering a double-parked senior, another senior in a hospital bed, a young man's death in Winnipeg, an unfortnate Polish immigrant on his first day in Canada!
Tbe once great RCMP is diminished.
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