OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Police Services Board is unanimously endorsing buying up to 100 more tasers and letting more staff use the devices.
The decision on a two-year plan recommended by the police service came during the board's meeting Monday.
Currently, only supervisors and tactical unit members can use the devices, but the new strategy would expand their use to front-line constables.
The new conducted energy weapons are expected to cost about $2,000 each.
It will be 2015 before any new devices are purchased and used, and this year will provide more training for officers.
Police Chief Charles Bordeleau says that message was heard loud and clear from both the community and board members.
"They want to ensure ... when we're issuing new tools, that they have the training to support the very difficult work that they do," he said.
A report from the police service had said the weapons were not readily accessible to front-line first class officers in violent or life-threatening situations since only five to 15 of them are out on the road at any one time.
Being able to buy up to 100 more of them would increase the number of the devices on the road to between 29 and 39, the report said.
The report, released last week, was the result of a review by Ottawa police following the release of revised Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services guidelines. The guidelines announced last year allow boards to authorize front-line police officers to carry tasers.
Ottawa police will report back to the board on the effectiveness of the plan at the end of 2015.
