Send this page to someone via email

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article said that the type of weapons the Calgary police were introducing were called “non-lethal.” The headline and article have been updated with the more accurate term of “less lethal.”

Calgary police will be introducing new “less-lethal” weapons to officers this summer.

“The service will adopt the single-shot 37mm ARWEN ACE-T Less Lethal Launcher and ARWEN AR-1 Impact Baton,” police said in a news release Thursday.

Police said the introduction of the devices is part of the “Patrol Less Lethal” program. The goal is to better equip officers “to help safely resolve high-risk, critical incidents.”

Calgary police said they spent a lot of time researching and testing the equipment.

“The systems will be rolled out in a phased approach, beginning with 40 trained officers and 40 launchers distributed city-wide in summer 2018,” the release said. “By the end of 2019, 160 frontline officers will be trained and 80 systems available city-wide.”

Story continues below advertisement

Calgary police demonstrate use of new “less lethal” weapons. 40 officers are currently trained to use them. @GlobalCalgary #yyc pic.twitter.com/cgRtqS27QT — Sarah Offin (@sarahoffin) June 28, 2018