Tasers’ use to be examined by Hamilton Police crisis committee

(Updated) Hamilton Police have formed a new committee to help oversee the way officers interact with people in crisis.

The committee will include Chief Glenn De Caire as well as training officers and mental health providers. Their job will be to go through all the latest research and reports on police interactions with people who are having a mental health crisis, then they’ll advise the service on how to implement any recommendations they have.

One of the first things the committee will look at is how Hamilton Police handle the deployment of conducted energy weapons, better known as tasers. Over a year ago the province said local police boards could approve Tasers for all front line officers, and last fall Hamilton became the first city to do that.

It’s taken the service from that time to this June to get all members trained. Those Tasers will go in to service a week from today.

About half the 800 front-line officers on the Hamilton force will be carrying Tasers as part of their gear.

“We’re hopeful that having the weapon available reduces that risk that was present before, because CEWs were only in the hands of specialized units, ERU (Emergency Response Unit) or supervisors. supervisors couldn’t get to all the calls, and our experience is, when that weapon is required, it’s required immediately.”

“Having it more accessible, we’ll be able to use it in the capacity it’s intended; to defuse, de-escalate, avoid lethal force where appropriate to be used.”

Hamilton is also increasing crisis intervention training for officers and even civilian members.

Additional video: Morning Live coverage of De Caire’s announcement: