B.C. government had been looking into Taser use before airport death

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER - An official with B.C.'s Public Safety Ministry says the government was concerned about police use of Tasers before Robert Dziekanski died at Vancouver's airport last year.

Assistant deputy minister Kevin Begg told the inquiry looking into Taser use that the ministry called for a review a year ago over concern that the weapon was being used in lower-risk encounters.

Begg told the inquiry that some police officers may be moving too quickly to use force instead of trying to de-escalate an encounter.

He suggested the Taser should be used at a much higher level in the police use of force scale.

Begg isn't recommending a moratorium, saying that could result in more people being hurt or killed if Tasers aren't available to officers in high-risk situations.

The B.C. government's plans for any changes in Taser use have been put on hold until the Taser inquiry hands in its report.