Braidwood Inquiry

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The Braidwood Inquiry is a public inquiry being conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, examining the safety of Tasers and the death of Robert Dziekański.[1] The two-stage inquiry is being conducted by retired Court of Appeal of British Columbia and the Yukon Territories Justice The Honourable Thomas R. Braidwood, Q.C.

Contents

First stage (Taser Safety)

The first stage of the inquiry began on May 5, 2008. The Inquiry heard testimony from many experts from J. Patrick Reilly, an electrical engineer at Johns Hopkins University, who concluded that a Taser shot could kill,[2] to the CEO of Taser International Tom Smith. In his testimony, Smith maintained the safety of his product but mentioned that his product was not "risk-free."[3] Smith also denied that his company rushed to market their product with inconsistent safety and medical research.[4]

The inquiry also heard from Ujjal Dosanjh, a Canadian Member of Parliament and former Attorney-General of British Columbia with his opposing view points to Smith; Robert Dziekański's mother Zofia Cisowski, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Metro Vancouver Transit Police. Both agencies have announced changes to their Taser policies.[5][6] The First Stage finished on May 23.[7] On June 10, Attorney General Wally Oppal granted a five-month extension to compete its report.[8]

Second stage (death of Robert Dziekański)

Stage Two has been delayed until January 2009 due to RCMP non-involvement in the case. The RCMP is awaiting a ruling by the Crown to see if the four RCMP officers involved will face criminal charges.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Inquiry examining Taser use, Dziekanski's death begins MondayCBC News, May, 2008.
  2. ^ Death from Taser very rare, stun-gun experts tell inquiryThe Vancouver Sun, May, 2008.
  3. ^ Tasers don't kill, says firm's boss. Not true, says Dosanjh The Province May 2008
  4. ^ Taser rushed into use, competitor tells inquiryThe Star, Canada, May 2008
  5. ^ RCMP willing to change Taser policy, inquiry told CBC May 2008
  6. ^ Transit police have tightened policy on Taser use, inquiry hears CBC May 2008
  7. ^ First phase of Taser inquiry finished CBC May 2008
  8. ^ Braidwood Inquiry gets five-month extension to finish report June 2008
  9. ^ Taser probe delayed againCanada.com, 2008

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braidwood_Inquiry"

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