OTTAWA, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The federal watchdog of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has launched an inquiry into the frequency of use of electroshock stun guns.
Paul Kennedy, chairman of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, said in 2007 he urged the force to use more restraint in the use of the trademark Taser devices. At least 11 people died after being zapped by Mounties, the Toronto Star reported Friday.
Amnesty International claims 25 people have died after being shocked by police in Canada since 2001.
Kennedy said he will examine both the adequacy of the RCMP's stun gun guidelines and whether officers are following the protocol, the Ottawa Citizen said.
The U.S. manufacturer of the Taser claims there is no evidence to support causal relationships with its use and death, but the Citizen said such factors as "body size, medical conditions, ingestion of drugs and acute stress can increase the risk of harm to a person" who is shocked with the device.
