News Release

RCMP Public Complaints Commission Releases Report into Use of Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) on Frank Lasser

Ottawa, April 1, 2009 – RCMP use of a Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) on knife wielding Frank Lasser was a reasonable response to the threat he posed to hospital staff and RCMP members, says an investigative report released by Paul E. Kennedy, Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC).

This is the key conclusion of a chair-initiated complaint launched by Mr. Kennedy on May 9, 2008, which investigated the appropriateness of the incident in question, as well as specific concerns raised with respect to RCMP policy, procedures and guidelines on the use of the CEW.

"Throughout this incident, Mr. Lasser's behaviour could reasonably be described as posing a threat of grievous bodily harm or death," said Mr. Kennedy. " It was only after repeated failed attempt to control Mr. Lasser through other means that RCMP members elevated their use of force to deploying the CEW.  Accordingly, I find that the use of the weapon was reasonable and justified under the circumstances."

All relevant witnesses were contacted and interviewed during this investigation.  

Statements are consistent in most respects save for Mr. Lasser's recollection of events, which was admittedly poor and was likely impacted by other factors, most notably his medication and the fact he was not receiving oxygen as ordered.

In summary, Mr. Lasser was an 82-year-old patient at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, British Columbia on May 3, 2008.  In the early morning hours, a nurse entered his room to check on him and another patient.  The nurse noticed that Mr. Lasser put a knife down on the bedside table and she approached the table to take it. However, before she could do so Mr. Lasser grabbed it and waved it about.  In assessing Mr. Lasser's intentions, hospital staff felt that he was prepared to use the knife against them.  Other members of the hospital staff who saw hospital security trying to deal with Mr. Lasser confirmed that, in their opinion, he was prepared to use his knife.

Several unsuccessful attempts were made to disarm Mr. Lasser by both hospital security and the RCMP. At one point, Mr. Lasser turned in the direction of an RMCP member with his knife raised above his head and ready to strike downward.  At this time, as a last resort and fearing for the safety of a fellow officer, an RCMP member deployed his CEW at Mr. Lasser.  The two probes struck him and the shock caused him to release the knife, at which point the members were able to subdue him.  In the minutes following the incident, Mr.  Lasser was described as much calmer and cooperative.  One nurse stated that RCMP members were compassionate and that in her opinion they did not wish to use the CEW and only did so as a last resort.

A second aspect of the complaint investigation was to assess the adequacy of the existing RCMP CEW policies, procedures and guidelines.  With respect to the deployment of the weapon, the facts do not give rise to concerns about the application of policy in this case. It should be noted that since Mr. Kennedy initiated this complaint, the RCMP has modified its policy relating to CEW use.

The CPC has also undertaken a broader review of the adequacy of RCMP CEW policies through an investigation into in-custody deaths proximal to CEW use, which will take a broader view of the adequacy of the existing policies, procedures and guidelines relating to CEW use.

Mr. Kennedy also recently released key findings related to RCMP CEW use in 2008, where he noted that there appears to have been a systemic shift in how members of the RCMP are now using CEW compared to previous years.  Reported RCMP CEW use declined 30 percent in 2008, compared to 2007. Of great significance, when unholstered, the weapon was used 72 percent of the time in 2007 – compared to 51 percent in 2008.

"Overall, I am encouraged by the decrease of CEW usage and increased restraint show by RCMP members in the field," said Mr. Kennedy.

The full report on Mr. Lasser and further background information regarding RCMP CEW use can be found on the CPC website at http://www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca.

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For more information, please contact:
Nelson Kalil
Manager, Communications
613-952-2452
nelson.kalil@cpc-cpp.gc.ca