HALIFAX - A Halifax police officer in charge of training says the force changes its policies on the use of Tasers as new information becomes available.
Sgt. Dean Stienburg says they are constantly adapting their practices with the weapons as scientific research dictates.
He was testifying today at an inquiry into the case of Howard Hyde, a paranoid schizophrenic who died 30 hours after being Tasered by police in 2007.
Stienburg says the force now trains officers to recognize subtle clues that may indicate someone is having a mental health crisis.
He says when they do, they should immediately involve Emergency Health Services to help prevent someone in crisis from hurting themselves or others.
The inquiry is looking at how police officers and others in the justice system treated Hyde, who was off his medications and had been acting erratically leading up to his death.
