Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

I have no problem with the officers discussing their plans for action prior to arriving on scene. Obviously they are going to do this ... I wouldn't expect them to arrive on scene without a plan. What I have a problem with is the allegations by the witness that they had predetermined that they were going to taser the guy before they even arrived and assessed the scene. I realize that it is only an allegation at this point, and that doesn't necessarily make it true. It also doesn't necessarily make it false. And since it only took 25 seconds upon arrival on scene to taser the guy, the allegation that it was the predetermined course of action seems quite plausible.

As for tasering being "deemed by the RCMP as the (action) least likely to result in fatality", I question that. There have been 17 taser fatalities in Canada since 2003. If you don't believe me I invite you to Google "17 Canadian taser fatalities". You will find multiple supporting links for this stat. Maybe my perception is wrong, but 17 taser deaths within a four year period doesn't sound like tasering is a very safe practice, and I suggest that the protocols for using a taser need to be reevaluated. I wasn't able to find any stats on the causes of other homicides by police, but it would be interesting to know how many people have been shot or beaten to death by police during that time. My hunch is that gunshot and beating deaths caused by police during that time would be considerably less than 17. If any one has those stats please post a link to them ... I'm interested in seeing them.