Use of force on the rise as police use Tasers more by Tim Whitnell Metroland West Media 5 | Thursday, March 31, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Use of force reports within Halton Regional Police were up significantly in 2015 over the previous year, with the majority of the increase related to the deployment of Tasers and the drawing and pointing of pistols. Use of force, various crime and police vehicle collision statistics, all for 2015, were presented to Halton police services board members at a recent meeting at police headquarters in Oakville. The use of force figures garnered most of the attention of services board members who queried Police Chief Stephen Tanner and deputy chiefs Carol Crowe and Nishan Duraiappah about the stats and what they mean for the public. In reporting that the use of a conducted energy weapon (CEW) -- more commonly known as a Taser -- was way up in 2015 over 2014, with 87 reports made by Halton officers last year compared to just 35 the year prior, the chief provided what he said was some needed context. "There are about 6070 Tasers on the streets of Halton every day compared to about six or seven (every day) before (2015)," Tanner told the board members. Taser use was limited in 2014, but went mainstream with the units being issued to all of the region's frontline officers in 2015. Tanner also noted that of the 87 Taser reports for last year, 67 of them were classified as demonstrated force presence, meaning the Taser only needed to be pointed at a suspect for them to comply with an officer's orders. Tasers were fired, with electric probes deployed, in 17 instances in 2015, with 14 of those cases bringing a suspect under control. The other three Taser reports for last year were for its use in a drive stun, meaning the weapon was jammed into a suspect's body with an electrical discharge; this form of use was effective in two of the instances. "The dramatic increase in CEW usage, particularly in the area of compliance/ effectiveness when drawn, demonstrates the service's investment in ensuring that a less-lethal alternative is available in every circumstance is paying off," states a police use of force report prepared for services board members. ".... This additional option has clearly increased our force effectiveness while mitigating serious injury to our officers and the public," continued the report. In terms of firearms, officers drew (out of holster but not pointed) their pistol 26 times in 2015, compared to just nine in 2014, and pointed a handgun 50 times last year (29 times in 2014). However, actual discharge of a pistol only happened five times in 2015 compared The dramatic increase in CEW (conducted energy weapon) usage, particularly in the area of compliance/effectiveness when drawn, demonstrates that the service's investment in ensuring that a less-lethal alternative is available in every circumstance is paying off. Halton Regional Police report on Use of Force in 2015 in 2014. The report statistics for pointing (14/17) and shooting (5/3) a carbine (light, shortbarreled rifle), when combined, were almost identical between 2015 and 2014, respectively. A police gun in any form was fired 13 times in 2015 about half of the 25 instances in 2014. see Gun on p.22 Deputy Chief Carol Crowe to 13 times in 2014. Police pointed a shotgun at a suspect three times in 2015; they didn't do it once in 2014. A shotgun was fired three times last year compared to nine times CONCRETE INJURED? I Can Help! YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca PLATINUM EXPOSED AGGREGATE (Pebble) · DRIVEWAYS · STEPS · FRENCH CURBS · WALKWAYS · PATIOS · GARAGE FLOORS uality At Its Best! Call Fernando 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 www.concretetrimmings.com FREE ESTIMATES Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law www.oakvilletoyota.com 2375 Wyecroft Rd Oakville, ON L6L 6L4 Only at Oakville Toyota Buy a set of four eligible tires from March 25 through May 1 and be entered to win an HD Digital Video Recorder. Tires Right for Your Toyota and a Chance to Win! Why Buy Tires Here? · The right tires · Expert installation 905.842.8400 · Competitive pricing Come in today for your complimentary tire inspection.