An all-party parliamentary committee is reviewing the status of recommendations made in the 2009 Braidwood Commission report Restoring Public Confidence: Restricting the Use of Conducted Energy Weapons (TASERs).
The committee will consult with the public to review how effectively these recommendations have been implemented throughout the province until Nov. 2.
The Special Committee to Inquire into the Use of Conducted Energy Weapons and to Audit Selected Police Complaints will hold public hearings in Vancouver Oct. 22-23 on the first part of its mandate, as well as accepting public submissions.
The committee is also being briefed on the status of the 2009 Braidwood Commission recommendations and the latest scientific research on TASER use. It will provide the public with an opportunity to participate once again when it conducts a randomly selected audit of police complaints.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says she doesn't know if TASERs should be used or not, as she isn't an expert in that area. However, she notes it is "really good" a random audit of complaints will be performed.
"I think it is a valuable exercise due to the incidents that have happened over the past few years, especially considering the Braidwood Commission report."
There have been other incidents where complaints resulted from "overzealous" use of the TASERs, she adds, and the public should have access to provide their views on its use.
"The taxpayer is still paying the bill, and the taxpayer has to feel confident and safe."
Conducted energy weapons have been used by various law-enforcement agencies in British Columbia during the past decade.
Since 2003, 25 people in Canada have died after a TASER was deployed against them – eight of them in British Columbia.
Barnett says she suspects complaints regarding TASER use are "very few" compared to the incidents the police deal with each year, but they are important issues that gain a lot public attention.
"Whether it's one or 10, they have to be dealt with. I think it's up to the government to do this, and to restore the faith in the police, and also in the [TASER] process."
The report's executive summary indicates the minimum of 2,863 occasions RCMP or municipal police officers deployed the weapon between 2001 and 2007 is likely a significant undercount.
To access the report or other information on the committee, or to submit your comments, video or audio file online, visit the website at www.leg.bc.ca/cew.
To register for a public hearing, contact the Parliamentary Committees Office by phone toll-free at 1-877-428-8337, or by e-mail at cew@leg.bc.ca.
Submissions can also be e-mailed, faxed to 1-250-356-8172 or mailed to LABC; Parliamentary Committees Office; Room 224; Parliament Buildings; Victoria, B.C.; V8V 1X4.
The deadline for public input is Nov. 2, and must include your contact information.