“Distraction Strikes” To Be Studied
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 16:31
A tactic used by police officers during some arrests is going under the microscope.
A recent report by the Saskatchewan public complaints commission found that the use of so-called “Distraction Strikes” by officers appears to be on the rise.
Dale McFee is the head of the commission as well as being the chief of the Prince Albert police service.
He explains distraction strikes are non-lethal tactics used in certain situations.
“It’s something that generally is used to distract the person to gain advantage. Obviously it can be very effective but we want to make sure that is exactly what everybody is seeing it as.”
McFee says an executive committee will review the tactic at the college level.
At the same time the police service will make sure existing members are clear on the definition of it and that it’s being reported correctly.
McFee says the Prince Albert police service has not found distraction strikes to be on the increase by their members, but he wants to make sure it’s uniform across the province.