Lazy Officers Are Turning Too Quickly To Taser Use

Dziekanski's death following the use of a Taser fit only too well into the pattern Amnesty International had found in its study, Canada: Inappropriate and Excessive Use of Tasers. Since Tasers first were used in North America, beginning in 2001, Amnesty International says that more than 270 people in the U.S. and 17 people in Canada have died after being shocked with the weapon. In addition to information on the deaths, Amnesty International has also collected information on cases where the victim survived to tell the tale. An Edmonton police officer in 2003 searching a hotel with two other officers for a robber armed with a knife, used his Taser to rouse two sleeping hotel guests. (The officer was charged with assault with a weapon.) In 2004, Halifax regional police used a Taser three times on a woman who was handcuffed and held down in a police cell. (Both officers involved were cleared of assault.) In 2005, a 42-year-old restaurant owner was shocked with a Taser as he lay unconscious. An RCMP officer ordered the shock in an attempt to revive him. (The officer pleaded guilty in court to assault with a weapon. He was given a conditional discharge and 50 hours' community service.) A 66-year-old lawyer, Brian Fish, was taking photos of Edmonton police intervening at the 2006 Stanley Cup victory celebrations. When Fish refused a police demand to stop taking photos, an officer pushed Fish to the ground and Tasered him twice in his back. A police investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers. Fish has filed a complaint. (1 more page) http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/comment/story.html?id=f33ccf22-2efb-4fdb-832a-da939720db61

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