Expert tells Nunavut inquest many police tools not effective in cold weather

A use of force expert says an RCMP officer who shot and killed an armed man in a remote Nunavut community didn't have effective, less-lethal options he could have used that day.

Sgt. Brad Fawcett told a coroner's inquest Thursday into the death of 21-year-old Charles Qirngnirq from Gjoa Haven that many of the tools officers are equipped with don't work in cold weather.

Fawcett said stun guns such as Tasers don't often work in the cold, pepper spray isn't as effective and batons don't have the same impact through winter clothing.

"In this environment, you can preclude all less lethal options" said Fawcett, who is with the Vancouver Police Department.

He later clarified his statement. "You certainly could preclude a lot less-lethal options. Anything that relies on a battery can be affected."

The inquest has heard that it was about -33 C on Dec. 19, 2016, the day Qirngnirq was shot.

Earlier this week, the inquest heard that Cpl. Ian Crowe and Cpl. Tanya Kellogg, the officers who confronted Qirngnirq, struggled to see the man from what they assumed was about 100 metres away.