Canada's national police force says it will heed a warning from the company that makes Tasers not to fire the weapons at the chests of suspects. A training bulletin posted on the website of Taser International last month instructed users to refrain from targeting the chest area to avoid impact to the heart. "When possible, avoiding chest shots with electronic control devices avoids the controversy about whether ECDs do or do not affect the human heart," it said, suggesting Taser users instead aim for the abdomen, legs or back.
A Ottawa-based spokesman said the RCMP received information Friday informing them about the target guide."We put out a directive to all our members indicating that, where practical, to avoid intentionally targeting . . . additional sensitive areas of the body," Sgt. Greg Cox said.
Police in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg have also said their officers will follow the new directive.Police use of Tasers has been highly contentious in Canada, with more than two dozen deaths associated with the devices.
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