The Braidwood Commission reports on TASER use in Canada: an evidence‐based policy review

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the Braidwood Commission's two reports on the use of TASER conducted energy weapons in Canada and the death of Robert Dziekanski to determine whether the Commission's conclusions and subsequent recommendations constitute sound evidence‐based public policy.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes Commissioner Braidwood's eight findings from the first report regarding the medical implications of the use of TASER devices by comparing those findings to the body of scientific, medical, and technical literature on the physiological effects of TASER technology. Additionally, this study reviews the potential ramifications of the Commissioner's recommendations regarding the use of TASER devices in both reports.FindingsEvidence from the existing literature does not support the Commission's findings regarding the medical risks of the use of TASER technology. Recommendations to restrict the use of TASER devices are unlikely to reduce arrest‐related deaths, but they are likely to result in increased injuries to officers and suspects. Other recommendations, including training standards, testing requirements, reporting requirements, medical assistance, and research and review, are consistent with other reviews on the use of TASER technology and are necessary and appropriate to restore public confidence in police use‐of‐force.Originality/valueThe Braidwood Commission recommendations have had an immediate impact on the policies of several police agencies in Canada, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but this study is the first critically to review whether those recommendations constitute formulation of sound evidence‐based public policy.

Do Changes in TASER Use Policy Affect Police Officer Injury Rates?

“…This puts both suspects and officers at risk. Contemporary evidence has suggested that extreme placement of the TASER on either end of use-of-force continua results in greater rates of injury for both officers and suspects (Alpert & Dunham, 2010; PERF & USDOJ, 2011; Williams, 2012). This finding implies that police agencies with particularly strict or relaxed TASER deployment rules could reduce injuries by restructuring their policy.…”

“…Studies centered on police TASER use have emerged in recent years, 1 adding new arguments to popular police use-of-force debates (Alpert & Dunham, 2010; Bishopp, Klinger, & Morris, 2015; Chermak, 2009; Crow & Adrion, 2011; DeLone & Thompson, 2009; Ferdik, Kaminski, Cooney, & Sevigny, 2014; Gau, Mosher, & Pratt, 2010; Lin & Jones, 2010; National Institute of Justice (U.S.) [NIJ], 2011; Paoline, Terrill, & Ingram, 2012; Police Executive Research Forum & U.S. Department of Justice [PERF & USDOJ], 2011; Thomas, Collins, & Lovrich, 2011; Williams, 2012). The resulting discussion has revealed a lack of consistency in TASER policy among U.S. police agencies and has raised questions about the TASER’s role in both citizen and officer injuries.…”

Gender Differences in Attitudes Toward Police Use of Tasers Following the Dziekanski Case

“…In a separate report, the Braidwood Commission, tasked under the Public Inquiry Act of the province of British Columbia to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dziekanski's death, concluded that had the police officers not used Tasers on Dziekanski, he would almost certainly have survived (Braidwood Commission on the Death of Robert Dziekanski, 2010). Although some of the conclusions of the Braidwood Commission have been recently challenged (Williams, 2012), a majority of Canadians (69%) agreed with Justice Braidwood's conclusions (Angus Reid Public Opinion).…”

Exposures to Conducted Electrical Weapons (IncludingTASER®Devices): How Many and for How Long are Acceptable?

“…Although five separate applications of a CEW were reported (5–9 sec each), with a possible total exposure time of 31 sec, it is unknown whether good contact was established during each application. Williams noted that, when considering CEW applications in general, many suggestions of a causal relationship to death in this high‐profile case have been overstated. There were several other potentially confounding factors, including the struggle with law‐enforcement personnel, stress from both the physical and emotional effects of the alcohol withdrawal, and alcoholic cardiomyopathy .…”