Saskatoon’s police chief says that although he certainly applauds the decision earlier this week to expand the ability to use tasers to municipal forces, officers will be trained to use the weapons in only the most extreme circumstances.
Up until now, only RCMP officers and those serving in special tactical units on municipal forces have been permitted to use tasers.
However, Police Chief Clive Weighill says officers will only be permitted to use tasers in instances where they believe a suspect poses a physical danger to either themselves or the public.
Some groups such as the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism have been critical of expanded taser use while others, such as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, have declined comment on the issue.