Consultation proposal on future deployment of Conducted Energy Weapons

(Ottawa) A report outlining a proposed consultation plan on the future deployment of Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs), commonly referred to as Tasers, will be discussed at the Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) meeting on Monday night.

The report follows revised CEW guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Correctional Services, allowing police services boards to authorize additional officer classes to carry the devices.

“The Consultation Plan has been designed to raise awareness about the revised guidelines, provide some information on CEWs and their use within the OPS, and ensure that both the public and OPS members have an opportunity to provide their feedback,” said Ottawa Police Supt. Uday Jaswal. “The information that is gathered will help inform a report to the OPSB in the spring of 2014 outlining recommendations for future deployment.”

A variety of consultative approaches will be used and are outlined in the report. They include:

An online questionnaire;
Interviews, targeted outreach and focus groups;
Ride-alongs with front-line officers;
Meetings and presentations; and,
Written submissions.
In addition, the report details new communication and de-escalation training recently added by OPS to the annual requalification training all officers must take.

Communication techniques and de-escalation have always been a component in yearly training. However, the additional focused training is intended to act as a refresher on dealing with people in crisis, including cases involving mental health issues, as well as introduce a model to assist officers in articulating why and how they dealt with an individual in crisis. The de-escalation training, in development since last summer, builds on officers’ skills in calming a situation using their presence and communication.

Implementation of the consultation plan, including the release of an online questionnaire, is set to begin following approval of the plan by the OPSB.

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