How did police officers manage before they packed Tasers?
This was one of the questions posed by activist Barb Moyle at the December 12 meeting of the Vancouver Police Board wherein she called for an immediate moratorium on the use of these weapons. Moyle told board members that the prudent approach would be to obtain independent research on safety issues related to the deployment of Tasers. “I think there has to be a more humane way of subduing and taking a person in custody without any loss of life,” she said. Moyle also noted that there are pending investigations relating to in-custody deaths arising from the use of these devices. Activist Am Johal also spoke before the board and he recommended that the appointment of a person of public stature – like a retired justice – to review policies on Taser use. Johal also distributed a letter by NDP MLAs Jenny Kwan and Mike Farnworth to board members headed by Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. The Kwan-Farnworth letter posed a number of queries including whether or not the Vancouver Police Department
