A Regina Police Service member discharged a CEW, commonly known as a taser, in taking a 23 year-old male, who was threatening self-harm, safely into custody today, Wednesday, June 10, 2015. This advisory is in keeping with the Regina Police Service’s commitment to notify the public each time a CEW, or Conducted Energy Weapon, is discharged against a person.
On Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at approximately 1:30 p.m., police were dispatched the 500 block of Wascana Street for what was initially reported as an assault. The caller indicated a male and female were engaged in an argument in the area of Wascana Street and 1st Avenue North. It was alleged the male struck the female in the face. The male was observed entering a house in the 500 block of Wascana Street. When police arrived, the male allegedly made threats to police officers and barricaded himself inside a bedroom. He was confirmed to be in possession of a knife. Crisis negotiators arrived and attempted to negotiate the suspect out of the bedroom. The SWAT team was deployed to the scene when the male started to threaten to harm himself. SWAT was able to gain entry into the room and a CEW was discharged, resulting in the male being safely taken into custody. The suspect was assessed and treated at the scene by EMS before being taken to police detention. Further investigation into this event led to charges against the male.
The 23 year-old male is facing a charge of Assault [266 CC] and Uttering Threats [264.1(1)(a) CC]. He will appear in Provincial Court on these charges at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015.
The use of the CEW has been documented as per policy and will be reviewed by a Use of Force Committee, a committee within the Service. All uses of force are also reported to the Saskatchewan Police Commission, which provides independent oversight for municipal policing within Saskatchewan.