A 48 year-old Regina male is facing charges after an incident on Thursday, November 17th, 2016, in which 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.
At 4:03 p.m. on Thursday, November 17th, 2016, the RPS Communications Centre received a report of male causing a disturbance at a residence in the 1600 block of Toronto Street. Officers arrived in the area and located the male inside the home holding a large knife in each hand. The officers commanded him to drop the knife, but the male ignored their demands. An officer deployed his Conducted Energy Weapon, or CEW, and required a second cycle as the male stood back up, still holding the knives. He was safely taken into custody without further incident, and transported to the hospital for treatment of an injury sustained form the knives he was holding. As the result of the investigation, the male was charged with a weapons charge.
Forty Eight year-old Darwin COTE, DOB: 1967/12/21, is charged with two counts of “Assaulting a peace officer while threatening to use a weapon” , section 270.01(1)(A) and 1 count “Possession of a Shedule 2 Substance” , section 4(5) CDSA. COTE’s first court appearance is set for Friday, November 18th, 2016 at 9:30 am.
The use of the CEW has been documented as per policy and will be reviewed by a Use of Force Committee – a committee with the Service. All uses of force are also reported to the Saskatchewan Police Commission – an oversight body independent of the Regina Police Service.