RCMP will adopt new Taser guidelines: B.C. premier

The premier of B.C. says he has been assured the RCMP in his province will adopt new provincial guidelines for the use of Tasers, but he can't say when it will happen.

Premier Gordon Campbell said he has spoken with RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass and came away satisfied the federal force will adopt the new guidelines issued by the province on Thursday.

"I think they are very comfortable with the report. They have in the past worked with us very closely on recommendations that come from British Columbia. So he anticipates no problem," said Campbell on Friday morning.

Campbell said he and Bass didn't set a timetable to restrict the use of Tasers, but said he is prepared to address the issue in contract negotiations with the RCMP.

"I expect they're going to move forward with us. We're in the middle of contract negotiations and we'll continue on with those and I'm sure conclude them very successfully."

On Thursday, retired justice Thomas Braidwood report 19 recommendations on the use of Tasers and other conducted energy weapons by police in B.C., following the death of Polish Immigrant Robert Dziekanski at the Vancouver airport in 2007.

As soon as the recommendations were issued, B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed endorsed the report and said he expected all police officers to immediately adopt the new guidelines on when to use the stun guns.

But the RCMP has yet to publicly say that they will comply with the directive. Instead, the force said Thursday it would study the recommendations.

The federally run force currently provides policing for about 70 per cent of B.C. under the terms of a contract, which expires in 2012.