Damn, again. What is wrong with people lately. Not just cops but there are some really stupid calls made for harmless things. :neutral:
CALGARY - Mounties' decision to zap an 11-year-old boy with a Taser has raised the ire of a B.C. children's advocate who may launch her own investigation. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.'s Representative for Children and Youth who provides independent oversight for the ministry of Children and Family Development and advocates for improvements to the child welfare system, is reviewing the case of the youngster who was zapped with a Taser Thursday.
Police were called to a house about 5:30 p.m. where a 37-year-old man was stabbed, allegedly by the boy. While an unusual event, Turpel-Lafond said it is a concern that an 11-year-old boy who lives in a group home would be stunned with a Taser then sent to hospital in a police car.
"The age is a concern, but it's a vulnerable individual living in a group home - children have rights," she said. "It's a sad day in B.C. when a child ... his behaviour is controlled by the use of a device the police have to subdue people. It's not my idea of how the system is supposed to be working."
She has many questions, including what other attempts were made to subdue the boy, and is trying to decide whether launch her own investigation. "My number one priority is this child and making sure he is safe," she said, adding she prefers young people to live in foster families. "I am not satisfied about a child being in a group home at 11 years old."
West Vancouver, B.C., police are now investigating whether RCMP were justified in their actions but refused comment Sunday. David MacAlister, a professor of criminology at Simon Fraser University, said the boy is likely the youngest to ever be stunned with an RCMP Taser in Canada.
"I think it's unusual ... the criminal laws don't apply to people under 12," he said. "I haven't heard of anyone that young being Tasered before - it is a concern when we are dealing with a child."
Being stunned by a Taser can be harmful, especially if the individual is thin and zapped in the chest. "The distance between the heart and skin is much smaller and the increases the danger," he said. "Presumably the 11-year-old would be in that category."
RCMP deferred questions to West Vancouver police Sunday. "If that young person had a knife and was a threat that is one thing, but we don't have any idea," MacAlister said.
CALGARY - Mounties' decision to zap an 11-year-old boy with a Taser has raised the ire of a B.C. children's advocate who may launch her own investigation. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.'s Representative for Children and Youth who provides independent oversight for the ministry of Children and Family Development and advocates for improvements to the child welfare system, is reviewing the case of the youngster who was zapped with a Taser Thursday.
Police were called to a house about 5:30 p.m. where a 37-year-old man was stabbed, allegedly by the boy. While an unusual event, Turpel-Lafond said it is a concern that an 11-year-old boy who lives in a group home would be stunned with a Taser then sent to hospital in a police car.
"The age is a concern, but it's a vulnerable individual living in a group home - children have rights," she said. "It's a sad day in B.C. when a child ... his behaviour is controlled by the use of a device the police have to subdue people. It's not my idea of how the system is supposed to be working."
She has many questions, including what other attempts were made to subdue the boy, and is trying to decide whether launch her own investigation. "My number one priority is this child and making sure he is safe," she said, adding she prefers young people to live in foster families. "I am not satisfied about a child being in a group home at 11 years old."
West Vancouver, B.C., police are now investigating whether RCMP were justified in their actions but refused comment Sunday. David MacAlister, a professor of criminology at Simon Fraser University, said the boy is likely the youngest to ever be stunned with an RCMP Taser in Canada.
"I think it's unusual ... the criminal laws don't apply to people under 12," he said. "I haven't heard of anyone that young being Tasered before - it is a concern when we are dealing with a child."
Being stunned by a Taser can be harmful, especially if the individual is thin and zapped in the chest. "The distance between the heart and skin is much smaller and the increases the danger," he said. "Presumably the 11-year-old would be in that category."
RCMP deferred questions to West Vancouver police Sunday. "If that young person had a knife and was a threat that is one thing, but we don't have any idea," MacAlister said.
