Nova Scotia orders police to shelve some Tasers

Nova Scotia's justice minister is ordering police departments in the province to stop using an older model of Taser after an investigation by CBC News uncovered problems with some of the stun guns.

The Taser in question is the Model X26, purchased before Jan. 1, 2006.

CBC News has been told there are seven in Nova Scotia — with the Halifax, Bridgewater and Stellarton police departments.

On Wednesday, the Justice Department sent a directive to the police forces to shelve these Tasers permanently.

It's a precautionary measure taken after a CBC News/Radio-Canada investigation found the current from some of the older Tasers was stronger than it was supposed to be.

The abnormal X26 model Tasers were manufactured before 2005.

Of the 41 Tasers tested, four delivered significantly more current than Taser International says is possible. In some cases, the current was up to 50 per cent stronger than specified on the devices.

The RCMP announced Tuesday it is pulling 24 Taser Model X26 units acquired before Jan. 1, 2006.

Sherri Aikenhead, spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia Justice Department, said the department went looking for the older models when it heard about the CBC's findings.

It's unclear whether there are any problems with the seven Tasers in Nova Scotia.

The Justice Department isn't planning to test the devices. Instead, the seven Tasers will simply be taken out of service.

The province has released two major reviews of Taser use this year after concerns were raised about the safety of the stun guns.

The Justice Department has committed to continue to follow the research on Tasers and make sure Taser use in Nova Scotia meets all standards.