Report Following a Public Interest Investigation into a Chair-Initiated Complaint Respecting the Death in RCMP Custody of Mr. Robert Dziekanski
Appendix L – CEW Training
De-escalation Techniques
Prior to discussing CEW training, it is informative to briefly canvass RCMP training with respect to the de-escalation of situations in order to avoid the use of force altogether. At various levels of training at Depot Division, cadets are taught the gradations of the officer interventions as found in the IM/IM, beginning with officer presence and communication, as well as CAPRA-based skills in problem solving. These aspects of training are focussed on developing the necessary verbal skills which police officers rely on when confronting potentially volatile situations. In addition, cadets receive training on negotiation and mediation skills and at the mid-point of their Depot training they begin to make use of these skills in role play scenario-based interactions with actors posing as members of the public.
Cadets are assessed on their ability to apply the appropriate level of response/force in these scenario situations as gauged against the IM/IM. The overall goal of the RCMP in providing such training is to ensure that members respond appropriately to the varied situations they will encounter in the field as police officers.
Although cadets receive such training, I am not aware of ongoing in-service training for RCMP members to reinforce the training received at Depot with respect to de-escalation tactics.
CEW Training
The Course Training Standard (CTS) for the CEW User Course was created in July 2001 and amended in May 2002 and September 2005. The RCMP CEW User Course is 16 hours in length. The CTS indicates that this amount of time allows instructors to teach the necessary material and provides time for practice and scenario based training.
The CTS stipulates that to successfully complete the course, each candidate must pass a written examination and achieve a score of 80%. In addition, each candidate must participate in role play exercises to demonstrate understanding of the weapon. According to the CTS:
Candidates will be given a skill display test and use role playing to ensure they can properly utilise the CEW in an effective and proficient manner. Candidates will be required to demonstrate proper use of the CEW and to explain and provide legal articulation of their actions to the instructor.
Upon completion of the course, each candidate is evaluated by the instructor and is rated either Competent or Unacceptable in each component of the course. A rating of Unacceptable in any course component means that the candidate does not receive credit for the course and is therefore not certified to operate the CEW.
Notwithstanding the requirement to be rated either Competent or Unacceptable, the CTS provides instructors with other assessment categories. In addition to the two noted above (Competent or Unacceptable), instructors may also rate candidates as Needs Improvement or, in the event a skill was not tested during a session, that aspect may be marked as Not Applicable.
The purpose of the CEW course at the time of the YVR incident was set out as:
This course is designed to provide the learner with the techniques, abilities, and knowledge to safely carry and use Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW). Successful candidates will be able to:
- State the philosophy of Less Lethal Interventions;
- Describe where the Conducted Energy Weapon fits into the Incident Management / Intervention Model, in both probe and "Push Stun" deployment;
- State RCMP Policy as it relates to the CEW;
- State the design characteristics of the Conducted Energy Weapon;
- State the relevant technical data for the Air Cartridge and the Conducted Energy Weapon;
- Identify and name the parts of the Conducted Energy Weapon;
- Describe the function of the CEW in the "Push Stun" Mode and the "Probe" Mode;
- Describe the target areas on the body, for "Probe" deployment and state the considerations in determining the point of aim;
- Explain the effectiveness of the CEW as it relates to "Probe" spread;
- Describe the different injuries that can result from the Conducted Energy Weapon and state the physiological and psychological effects of the use of the Conducted Energy Weapon, in both "Probe" mode and "Push Stun" mode;
- Perform the function check for the Conducted Energy Weapon;
- Describe and demonstrate the loading procedure for the Conducted Energy Weapon;
- Explain proper drawing and holstering from a CEW Holster;
- Describe and demonstrate how to aim the Conducted Energy Weapon, with or without the use of the laser sight;
- Describe and demonstrate the failure drills; incorporating transitions from the failed CEW deployment to other mandated levels of intervention;
- Explain approved battery loading and battery recharging considerations;
- Explain the medical care requirements of post CEW deployment, in both the "Probe" mode and "Push Stun" mode;
- Explain and demonstrate the operational considerations for "Probe" deployment;
- Explain and demonstrate the operational considerations for "Push Stun" deployment;
- Understand the CEW reporting procedures;
- Describe and demonstrate how to clean and maintain the Conducted Energy Weapon;
- Demonstrate and explain the proper technique to use when removing probes from a client;
- Identify the groups at risk in experiencing excited delirium;
- Identify the typical development of a person experiencing excited delirium; and
- Have a [sic] understanding of the physiology associated to excited delirium.173
The RCMP CEW course is divided into 14 modules as follows:
1. Introduction, Course Orientation
- Opening address
- Mutual introductions
- Course outcomes and purpose (i.e. job relevancy)
- Syllabus
- Course materials
- Assessment procedures and purpose
- General administration
- Accommodation and meals
- Transportation
- Deportment
- Expenses (i.e. financial coding)
- Any other matter of concern to the efficient operation of the course
2. Technology Overview
- Technology
- Central nervous system
- Sensory nervous system
- Motor nervous system
- Stun to NMD
3. Electrical – CEW (TASER®) Characteristics
- Technical data
- Arcing
- Wet environment
4. Medical
- Safe technology
- Physical effects
- Physical injuries
- Common and possible side effects
5. RCMP Policies And Protocol
- Definitions
- Deployment
- Certification
- Medical treatment
- Reporting procedures
6. Why CEW?
- Lower lethality force
- Modes of deployment
- Principles of the IMIM
7. Voluntary Exposure
- Rational
- Safety and guidelines
- Voluntary exposure report
8. CEW (TASER® X/M26)
- Nomenclature
- Weapon safety
- Cartridge safety
- Nomenclature and trigger operation
- Holsters
9. Batteries And Air Cartridges
- Battery removal/insertion
- Power indicator
- Battery testing guidelines
- Air cartridges types and characteristics
- Propulsion system
- Probes, wires and AFID tags
- Maintenance and storage
10. Practical Application
- Loading, unloading, re-loading and aiming
- Preparation for duty
- Firing sequence and verbal commands
- Operational deployment
- Failure drill
- Tactical consideration
- Effects on animals
11. Field Application
- First responder response option
- Drug users
- Preventing suicides
- Emotionally disturbed persons
- Independent conclusions
- In-custody deaths
12. Scenario Based Training
- Objectives
- Officer safety
- Safety rules
- Safety equipment
- Scenario training rules
- Practical scenario based training
13. Excited Delirium
- Typical development
- Physiology
- What officers need to know
- What we don't know
- Case study
14. Dataport Download
- Downloading data
- Download maintenance
15. Course Final Verbal Critiques
- An open discussion with candidates
- Constructive feedback from candidates
- The review of each topic with the purpose of seeking ideas to improve the design, content and delivery of the course
- The review of the content, value and delivery of each scenario
- A discussion on the learning environment and accommodation
- A discussion on the instructors and observers
- A discussion on the course coordinator
- Suggestions from candidates regarding additional content required and redundant content in the current course.
Training of RCMP members and indeed, training of other police forces in Canada is dependent upon the research conducted by various organizations and agencies. Various studies174 cited in this report inform police officers that the CEW is a viable alternative to lethal force, that it poses a low risk of danger to the responding police officers and to the subject of the CEW and that it is, in effect, a much more humane way of effecting control over an individual who is resistant to arrest or control.
In its report, the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) indicated that various injuries have been observed in police personnel undergoing such voluntary exposure. The Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department reportedly has banned voluntary exposure because of the concern for injuries to police personnel. The report noted that injuries have also been caused to police personnel when training in more traditional arrest and control techniques such as joint control and hand to hand measures.
The CPRC concedes that use of the CEW, initially introduced as an alternative to lethal force, has evolved to the point where it is viewed as being appropriate for use in situations in which what had until May 2008 been known in the RCMP IM/IM lexicon as intermediate weapons (see references to testimony from Inspector Lightfoot, above) may be used.
The concept of Intermediate Weapons was developed in the United States in the 1980s, according to a document entitled Report on Conducted Energy Weapons and Excited Delirium Syndrome issued in November 2007 by the RCMP.175
173 As noted elsewhere in this report, the RCMP has now expunged the term "excited delirium" from its policy.
174 Canadian Police Research Centre study and the study conducted by the Victoria Police Service (referenced in the CPRC study).
175 Report on Conducted Energy Weapons and Excited Delirium Syndrome