Edmonton Police aren't budging on their Taser use policy despite an announcement Thursday, that the RCMP is changing the way it uses the stun guns.

The new rules means RCMP officers must only use Tasers when there's a threat to an officer or to the public.

The new regulations were announced to the Commons public-safety committee on Thursday and come after several high-profile deaths involving the stun guns.

In the past, police have been told to use the stun guns when a suspect is in state of "excited delirium," which would allow the suspect to get medical attention.

"We've now made it very clear that the only time the use of a Taser can be justified is where there is a threat either to our officers or members of the public," said RCMP Commissioner William Elliott.

Taser use is a hot button issue right now with the inquiry into the Taser-related death of Robert Dziekanzki in Vancouver back in October 2007.

Since Dziekanzki's death, Taser-use has been under the microscope.

"I do not think that there is evidence that Tasers kill," said Elliott.

It's that lack of medical evidence that's part of the reason Edmonton police are standing strong on how their officers use Taser guns.

"The medical research we have reviewed has been leading us to believe this is a very safe weapon," said Joe Tassone, who teaches Edmonton police officers how to use Tasers.

"There is nothing to speak to the fact that this is a weapon system that is going to cause some very serious complications."

Tassone said anytime another police agency changes policy, the Edmonton Police Service pays close attention, but so far there are no plans to restrict Taser use in our city.

Lawyer, Brian Hurley is disappointed in the news.

"It's time to reign in Taser use for what it was originally supposed to be, a useful tool in dangerous situations rather than a firearm or rather than an officer or the public being seriously hurt," said Hurley.

While Hurley believes the RCMP are moving in the right direction, he said there still needs to be more checks and balances to ensure the stun guns are only being used as a last resort.

"If there is a suggestion that police have overstepped their boundaries and behaved inappropriately, there has to be an independent body to review that," he said.

With files from CTV's Laura Tupper, and CTV.ca News Staff