Saturday, March 12, 2011

Schaeffer inquest results in recommendations

Some recommendations for the OPP are coming out of the Levi Schaeffer inquest which wrapped up yesterday.

The recommendations include improved communication for officers in remote areas and that marine officers should have less lethal options such as pepper spray available when on patrol. Marine officers don't always wear their full duty belt (which has more non-lethal options) because it weight can make it hard to swim.

Also the jury recommended the OPP consider ongoing training for officers to better prepare them for interactions with individuals who suffer from mental illness such as Schaeffer.

The inquest examined the 2009 shooting death of Schaeffer by an OPP officer.