The hierarchy of the Barbados Police Service is being urged to issue tasers to all police officers to prevent a recurrence of the events of August 17, 2016.
Coroner Graveney Bannister is also suggesting that the Psychiatric Hospital be rebranded so as to remove the stigma associated with it and people who seek treatment there.
The magistrate’s comments came as he ruled self-defence in the police killing of Dwayne Frederick Leroy Husbands.
Husbands, 38, of Trents, St Lucy, was shot and killed after a violent struggle which turned into a rock- and glass-throwing incident as police were attempting to place him in a vehicle for transport to the Psychiatric Hospital.
The family was represented by attorney Errol Niles, while prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Trevor Blackman appeared for the Commissioner of Police.
“I would recommend that all police officers receive firearms training in the use of taser devices,” Magistrate Bannister said as he concluded the Coroner’s Inquest in the No 10 Supreme Court. (HLE)