The Regina Police Service is advising the public of the discharge of a Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW), commonly known as a Taser. Early this morning, a CEW was used during the arrest of a 23 year-old male.
On Friday, November 20, 2020 at approximately 4:00 a.m., police observed a vehicle driving erratically in the area of 8th Avenue and Athol Street. The vehicle was believed to be stolen, but the license plate was partially obscured by snow. Patrol members attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle on 10th Avenue, however, the driver of the vehicle evaded police. Police surveilled the vehicle as it continued to travel into South Regina. The vehicle came to a stop when it got stuck in a snowbank on Assiniboine Avenue and Kings Road. As police approached the vehicle, the driver continued to accelerate in forward and reverse; spinning the tires. The male driver did not comply to consistent police commands to exit the vehicle and continued to accelerate. After multiple failed attempts to verbally deescalate the situation, a CEW was deployed. The male driver continued to resist arrest, but officers were able to remove the male from the vehicle and take him into custody. EMS attended to assess the male but no treatment was required.
Police confirmed that the vehicle was stolen. In a search incident to arrest, it was determined that the male was carrying an imitation firearm and a knife on his person. He was also wearing a bulletproof vest. As a result:
Twenty-three year-old Dustin Kevin Harvey KAHNAPACE, of Regina, has been charged with:
- Possession of Weapon [CC 88]
- Possession of Imitation Weapon [CC 88]
- 2 X Carrying Concealed Weapon [CC 90]
- Resist Arrest [CC 129 (A)];
- Flight From Peace Officer [CC 320.17]
- Operate Conveyance Dangerous To Public [CC 320.13]
- Possession of Property Obtained By Crime Over $5000 [CC 355 (A)];
KAHNAPACE will make his first court appearance on these charges this afternoon (Friday, November 20, 2020) at 2:00 p.m.
**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. 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.