RCMP to limit Taser use

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OTTAWA, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will limit the use of Tasers to situations involving people who are combative or physically resistant to arrest.

Restricting the use of Tasers is one of 10 recommendations handed down by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, The Canwest News Service reported Friday.

"The RCMP recognizes the need to take action on the issues raised in the report and is committed to making immediate improvements in a number of areas," RCMP Commissioner William Elliott said in a statement.

"We're not recommending a moratorium, but we do call for immediate restrictions upon the use of this device," said commission head Paul Kennedy.

The RCMP conducted its own investigation into whether the use of a Taser contributed to the death of a 36-year-old man following his arrest in October.

Officers used a Taser stun gun, batons and pepper spray to detain Robert Knipstrom following a violent confrontation with police. Knipstrom was hospitalized and died four days later.