Saskatoon police to be armed with stun guns starting Wednesday

Watch the video above: Saskatoon police to be armed with stun guns starting Wednesday

SASKATOON – Frontline officers with Saskatoon Police Service will be armed with stun guns starting on Wednesday.

Officials say members using the conducted energy weapon (CEW), commonly referred to as tasers, were required to complete 11 hours of online and classroom training. The training also included de-escalation techniques.

The 44 CEWs will be stored at police headquarters and will have to be signed out by an officer for the duration of the shift.

There are also oversight measures in place, including a review every time a stun gun is used.

The use of CEW was approved by the Saskatchewan Police Commission in January and by Saskatoon’s board of police commissioners in October.