Ottawa Tactical Team Outfitted with Tasers

Ottawa's provincial government announced that police tactical units will be allowed to use Tasers, according to The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa chief of police Chief Van Bevan told the paper that he believes the Taser is less lethal than rubber or plastic bullets, but more targeted than pepper spray or tear gas. The Ottawa Police force owns 18 Advanced Tasers and has not decided to purchase more units. "It's another tool in the tool kit for police officers," says Bob Runciman, public safety and security minister at a Monday press conference. Ottawa and Metro Toronto tactical units have been deploying the Advanced Taser M26 from Taser International for the last two years and the weapons have been used dozens of times. After reviewing the recommendations from the pilot projects, Runciman decided to allow Taser use.