Police to replace aging Tasers

Ottawa police will replace 140 aging Tasers at a cost of more than a quarter-million dollars.

The police board approved the sole-source contract Monday, which would see the force fork over $265,290.20 plus taxes to M. D. Charlton Co. Ltd. As a solesource contract that’s more than $100,000, the civilian oversight body had to approve the purchase.

The province currently only allows Ontario police services to purchase conducted energy weapons manufactured by Taser International, and only two of their models have been sanctioned for police use. There is only one authorized supplier of Taser products in the entire country, so the contract is sole-sourced.

The force expects to “gradually

(Ottawa police force expects to) gradually replace unserviceable units throughout the coming year.

replace unserviceable units throughout the coming year,” according to a report to the board, and that will help, it says, to maintain “ready access to the device” and “ensure public and officer safety.”

Chief Charles Bordeleau told the board that as recently as Friday, a Taser was instrumental in police work in this city. Officers responded to a call where a man said he had a gun and was repeatedly asking for police to shoot him. A staff sergeant deployed the stun gun and subdued the man.

Ottawa police currently have 450 Tasers, which can only be used by patrol supervisors, tactical officers, hostage rescue teams, “members of preliminary perimeter control and containment teams” and some senior constables.

In 2018, the police force will ask the board to expand the use of conducted energy weapons to other officers. That expansion is also subject to board approval. Police also expect to present the board community consultation on the expansion and to further explain ongoing de-escalation training for officers.