Canadian police are changing their policies

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A number of Canadian police agencies are changing their policies on stun-gun use in light of a new training bulletin from the manufacturer of the weapon.

Taser International says the guns should not be aimed at a suspect's chest whenever possible. Instead, officers are advised to target the abdomen, legs or back.

"Note, we have lowered the recommended point of aim from centre of mass to lower centre of mass for front shots," the company says in the bulletin on its website.

"When possible, avoiding chest shots with electronic control devices avoids the controversy about whether ECDs [electronic control devices] do or do not affect the human heart," said the bulletin said.

Police forces in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg say they will be following the new avoid-the-heart directive.

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