Montreal police buy more stun guns

Montreal police are getting more electronic stun guns, saying the decision was made after officers fatally shot a homeless man last February.

Twelve new stun guns have been purchased by the force, bringing the total number of devices to 70.

Aspokesman says the devices will not replace other police techniques.

This is not the miracle tool and there's a reason why we don't have too many, said Cmdr. Ian Lafrenire. It's not useful in all situations.

Fatal shooting

On February 3, officers shot and killed 41-year-oldAlain Magloire, after responding to reports of a man wielding a hammer and acting aggressively in the vicinity of Montreal's central bus station on Berri Street.

This is not the miracle tool.- Montreal Police Commander IanLafreniere

• Man dies after police shooting outside Montreal bus station

Magloire was a former molecular biology researcher, had only recently ended up on the streets as a result of mental illness.

His brother told CBC Daybreaks Mike Finnerty that using fewerlethal devices is an improvement, but it won't help people with mental health problems.

We're tasing them, and we're pepper spraying them. And when people are suffering from mental health, we're shooting them. Is that the kind of society we want to be? said Pierre Magloire.

Coroner recommendations

This week, a Montreal coroner recommendedthat the police departmenthave more stun gunson hand.

• Quebec coroner says police need better training in mental illness

The coroner also recommended a new policy to force officers to call an ambulance as soon as they think the devices may be used.

This is not the first time a Quebec coroner has recommended Montreal police carry stun guns. In 2012, a coroner saidtwo men who were killed in a 2011 police shootingmight still be alive if officers had been equipped with the devices atat the time.

• Coroner says Montreal police should carry more stun guns

Lafrenire says the stun guns will be deployed to patrolling officers in the next several days.