Use of Force options to be introduced

(Update)

CHCH News has learned that on Tuesday, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services will make an announcement that could change policing across the province.

And its comes in the wake of the police shooting of 18-year old Sammy Yatim on a TTC streetcar.

Elise Copps has the details.

Stjepan and Anica Mesic will never know whether a taser could have saved their son’s life.

“If they had that then when our son was killed, maybe he would be still alive today.”

45-year old Steve Mesic was shot dead by Hamilton police on June 7th.

Then late last month 18-year old Sammy Yatim was killed on a TTC streetcar by a Toronto police officer. Constable James Forcillo is now facing second degree murder charges.

Both deaths sparked public outrage with people asking why deadly force was necessary.

“He’d be alive today had they had a trained police man and an equipped police man with what he needed.”

Critics say what he needed was a taser, and soon Ontario’s Public Safety Minister will recommend just that.

Madeleine Meilleur will urge all police forces to provide every front line officer with a taser.

“It’s a safety issue. It’s a safety issue for the public as well because it’s a less intrusive way of taking some people into custody. So we’re glad that the government appears to be making that move.”

The former head of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and current Chief of Halton Police, says that move is a long time coming.

“This will be another in between weapon which will be short of an officer maybe having to use a firearm.”

That alternative to a gun could mean the difference between life and death during a police confrontation. And though it may be too late for Steve Mesic, his family hopes it can keep from the same fate.

“Since nobody could bring out son back, hopefully by this lives could be saved.”