OTTAWA, May 4, 2010 - The RCMP today announced revisions to its policy on the use of conducted energy weapons (CEWs). The intent of the revised policy is to provide for the appropriate and consistent use of CEWs, and to enhance transparency and accountability.

The revised CEW policy addresses recommendations in the Braidwood Inquirys Part I report and by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, as well as the Province of Alberta’s Guidelines on CEW use.

“The RCMP is continually working to improve our policies, procedures and training related to the use of CEWs, and the use of force more broadly," said RCMP Commissioner William Elliott. "These latest amendments reaffirm our commitment to continuous improvement and to protecting Canadians."

Significant revisions to the RCMP policy include:
limiting the use of CEW to situations where a subject is causing bodily harm, or the police officer believes, on reasonable grounds, that the subject will imminently cause bodily harm, requiring officers to give a verbal warning, where tactically feasible, so the subject is aware of the imminent deployment of the CEW, requiring officers to request medical assistance, when feasible, prior to using the CEW in medically high-risk situations adding further CEW-related record keeping requirements, and revising CEW testing procedures to determine if CEWs are operating within manufacturer specifications.

RCMP CEW training standards will be updated to incorporate these policy revisions.

The RCMP continues to review and analyze research and other developments relating to CEWs and to work with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, other police services, medical experts and others to ensure that our policies, procedures and training relating to the use of CEWs, and the use of force more broadly, are appropriate and up-to-date.

RCMP CEW training standards will be updated to incorporate these policy revisions.

The RCMP continues to review and analyze research and other developments relating to CEWs and to work with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, other police services, medical experts and others to ensure that our policies, procedures and training relating to the use of CEWs, and the use of force more broadly, are appropriate and up-to-date.


For more information:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Media Relations, 613-993-2999

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