A Regina Police Service member discharged a CEW, commonly known as a taser, today in the arrest of a 29 year-old Regina male. This advisory is in keeping with the Regina Police Service’s commitment to notify the public each time a CEW is discharged against a person.
At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, a School Resource Officer travelling eastbound on Sherwood Drive observed two males fighting with each other in front of a residence on Willoughby Crescent. A third male was standing nearby. The officer requested assistance and made his way toward the combatants. One of the males was aggressive in his actions and would not respond to the officer’s questions. The other combatant advised the officer that he believed the first male was intoxicated by drugs. Another School Resource Officer arrived to assist at this time. The investigating officer asked the aggressive male, who, by this time, had his hands in his pockets, to show his hands, but the male suspect refused. The officer repeated his demand for the suspect to show his hands and the male pulled one hand from his pocket but kept the other in his jacket pocket, waving and pointing it at police. At approximately 9:59 a.m., believing the suspect may have a weapon and out of concern for the safety of the suspect, the witnesses and the police, the decision was made to utilize the CEW to safely apprehend the suspect. He was taken into custody without further incident. He was found to be gripping keys inside the pocket. EMS attended and assessed the male, who was taken to hospital for observation given his apparent intoxication. The male was arrested for public intoxication.
The male’s name will not be released as the arrest is not a criminal matter. The use of the CEW has been documented as per policy and will be reviewed by a Use of Force Committee – a committee with the Service. All uses of force are also reported to the Saskatchewan Police Commission – an oversight body independent of the Regina Police Service.