On Saturday, April 25, 2020, a Regina Police Service member discharged a CEW, commonly known as a Taser, in an arrest. This advisory is in keeping with the Regina Police Service’s commitment to notify the public each time a CEW is discharged against a person.
On Saturday, April 25, 2020, at approximately 8:40 p.m., police attended to the 1400 block of Rae Street in response to a report of an adult male swinging a metal pole in the air while saying he was going to kill someone. Police members attempted to negotiate with the male however he refused to drop the metal pole and tried to flee on foot, still carrying the pipe. The police perceived the immediate need for control, due to a high risk of death or serious bodily harm, prompting the deployment of the CEW. The male dropped the metal pole and was safely taken into custody. The male was assessed at the scene by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), medically cleared and then transported to cells. Investigation into this incident led to charges against the suspect male. The use of the CEW has been documented as per policy and will be reviewed by a Use of Force Committee – a committee within the Service. All uses of force are also reported to the Saskatchewan Police Commission – an oversight body independent of the Regina Police Service.
Twenty-eight year-old Geoffrey James WORM, of Regina, is charged with
- 4 X Assault peace office with a weapon [270.01(1)(a) CC];
- Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to Public Peace [88 CC];
- 2 X Breach of Undertaking [145(5)(a) CC];
- Breach of Probation [733.3(1) CC]; and
- Obstruction [129(a) CC].
WORM made his first court appearance on these charges in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020.