❓ Question regarding the Minister's awareness and actions taken after a Taser malfunctioned, leading to an officer using a firearm. The Minister states he is awaiting the investigation results and supports Taser use but acknowledges the need to address malfunctions.
AnsweredQoN 318Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE OFFICERS — FIREARM USE GUIDELINES
When the minister became aware that the allegation was that a Taser had failed, did he seek from the commissioner a briefing on the circumstances of that failure? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
When the minister became aware that the allegation was that a Taser had failed, did he seek from the commissioner a briefing on the circumstances of that failure? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I became aware when I was given the briefing note in relation to that particular incident—not about the investigation and the whys and wherefores. I will get the information about why the Taser did not work in due course once the investigation is completed. I read about it in the newspaper first of all, the same as the member did. It became news when an officer had to draw his firearm and use it because his Taser malfunctioned. That is what I am aware of so far. It came together with a briefing note that the police commissioner, or someone in his department, gave me, and that is as much as I know at the moment. Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I became aware when I was given the briefing note in relation to that particular incident—not about the investigation and the whys and wherefores. I will get the information about why the Taser did not work in due course once the investigation is completed. I read about it in the newspaper first of all, the same as the member did. It became news when an officer had to draw his firearm and use it because his Taser malfunctioned. That is what I am aware of so far. It came together with a briefing note that the police commissioner, or someone in his department, gave me, and that is as much as I know at the moment. Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
I became aware when I was given the briefing note in relation to that particular incident—not about the investigation and the whys and wherefores. I will get the information about why the Taser did not work in due course once the investigation is completed. I read about it in the newspaper first of all, the same as the member did. It became news when an officer had to draw his firearm and use it because his Taser malfunctioned. That is what I am aware of so far. It came together with a briefing note that the police commissioner, or someone in his department, gave me, and that is as much as I know at the moment. Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I became aware when I was given the briefing note in relation to that particular incident—not about the investigation and the whys and wherefores. I will get the information about why the Taser did not work in due course once the investigation is completed. I read about it in the newspaper first of all, the same as the member did. It became news when an officer had to draw his firearm and use it because his Taser malfunctioned. That is what I am aware of so far. It came together with a briefing note that the police commissioner, or someone in his department, gave me, and that is as much as I know at the moment. Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
I became aware when I was given the briefing note in relation to that particular incident—not about the investigation and the whys and wherefores. I will get the information about why the Taser did not work in due course once the investigation is completed. I read about it in the newspaper first of all, the same as the member did. It became news when an officer had to draw his firearm and use it because his Taser malfunctioned. That is what I am aware of so far. It came together with a briefing note that the police commissioner, or someone in his department, gave me, and that is as much as I know at the moment. Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Ms M.M. Quirk : And you didn’t do anything. Subsequent to receiving the briefing note, did you do anything? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I read it very carefully, and I took notice of the fact that an investigation was taking place, and is taking place as we speak. When that investigation is completed and the results of that investigation are presented to me, along with any recommendations regarding further firearm training or criteria — Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What happens in the meantime? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What will happen in the meantime is that our police officers will have every right to defend themselves when their lives, or other people’s lives, are put in danger. If the member disagrees with that — Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What about faulty Tasers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Hopefully, the Taser will work. I am a great fan of Tasers, because if an officer can draw a Taser and subdue somebody who is coming at him with a knife, a gun or anything, that is much more preferable to him drawing a firearm and having to shoot somebody, which very often results in a far more fatal outcome. Therefore, I am very happy with the current situation in relation to firearm and Taser use and I have no reason to try to persuade the Commissioner of Police to change any of that criteria, but if some things are malfunctioning, we need to know about it.
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