News Release

Chair-Initiated Complaint Use of Conducted Energy Weapon on Frank Lasser Kamloops, B.C.

OTTAWA, ON, May 9, 2008 – Paul E. Kennedy, Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC), has initiated a complaint into the conduct of those unidentified RCMP members who were present at, or engaged in, the apparent subduing of Frank Lasser, an 82-year-old man, in hospital in Kamloops, British Columbia by the use of a conducted energy weapon (CEW) on May 3, 2008.

In his complaint, Mr. Kennedy indicates that given the ongoing expressions of public concern as they relate to: (1) the degree and type of force required by police officers when subduing individuals, and (2) the specific concerns raised in respect of the use of conducted energy weapons, including related policy procedures and guidelines for deployment, he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to investigate the conduct of all members involved in this incident.

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For more information, please contact:

Nelson Kalil
Manager, Communications
613-952-2452
nelson.kalil@cpc-cpp.gc.ca