Winnipeg's police chief said stun guns used by the service's officers have saved lives and could replace the need for firearms in policing altogether in the future.

In a report presented Friday to the Winnipeg Police Board about the use of force, Chief Gene Bowers said the service used conducted energy weapons 524 times in 2024.

That's up from 301 instances where stun guns, such as Tasers, were used in 2023, and well over the five-year average of 262, the chief reported.

Bowers said Friday the inc…