The Regina Police Service is advising the public of the discharge of a Conducted Energy Weapon, or CEW, commonly known as a taser, on Thursday, September 13, 2018, in the arrest of a 33 year-old Regina male, who engaged in a physical struggle with police. 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 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2018, police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Ottawa Street for a report of a possible sick or injured male. The complainant said a male was lying near a garage and was moaning. The initial officer who arrived located a male who matched the description and was in possession of a hatchet; the officer removed the hatchet from the male. As other units arrived on scene, the male, who was initially on the ground, got up and started to run. The male was taken to the ground by an officer and a physical struggle ensued. During this struggle, it’s alleged the male tried to grab one officer’s CEW and then his firearm. While the exact circumstances are still the subject of review, one officer involved in the struggle deployed a CEW. Officers gained control of the subject, who was initially transported to hospital by EMS and then released into police custody. The male sustained a few minor injuries from the struggle; one of the police officers sustained more serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Investigation into this incident is ongoing and charges against the subject male are pending.
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 – a provincial oversight body, independent of the Regina Police Service.
