308.5 TASER GUIDELINES
When properly applied in accordance
with this policy, the Taser is considered a non-deadly control device which is
intended to temporarily incapacitate a violent or potentially violent
individual without causing serious injury. It is anticipated that the
appropriate use of such a device will result in fewer serious injuries to
officers and suspects.
308.51 CARRYING THE TASER
Personnel who have completed
approved training may be issued a Taser for use during their current
assignment. Personnel leaving a particular assignment may be expected to return
their issued Taser to the office’s inventory. Officers shall only use Tasers and
cartridges that have been issued or approved by the Sheriff’s Office. The
Taser will be carried as a part of a uniformed officer’s equipment in an
approved holster.
(a) If the Taser is carried as a
part of a uniformed officer’s equipment, the Taser shall not be carried
on the same side as the officer’s duty weapon.
(b) All Taser devices shall be
clearly and distinctly marked to differentiate them from the officer’s
duty weapon and any other device.
(c) Whenever possible, officers
shall carry a total of two or more Taser cartridges on their person at all
times while carrying a Taser.
(d) Officers shall be responsible
for insuring that the Taser is properly maintained and in good working order at
all times.
(e) Officers should never hold both
a firearm and a Taser at the same time unless lethal force is justified.
308.52 VERBAL AND VISUAL WARNINGS
Unless it would otherwise endanger
officer safety or is impractical due to circumstances, a verbal announcement of
the intended use of the Taser shall precede the application of a Taser device
in order to:
(a) Provide the individual with a
reasonable opportunity to voluntarily comply.
(b) Provide other officers and
individuals with warning that a Taser device may be deployed.
If, after a verbal warning, an
individual continues to express an unwillingness to voluntarily comply with an
officer’s lawful orders and it appears both reasonable and practical
under the circumstances, an officer may, but is not required to display the
electrical arc (provided there is not a cartridge loaded into the Taser) or
laser in a further attempt to gain compliance prior to the application of the
Taser device. The aiming laser should never be intentionally directed into the
eyes of another as it may permanently impair their vision. The fact that a
verbal and/or other warning was given or reasons it was not given shall be
documented in any related reports.
308.53 USE OF THE TASER
As with any law enforcement
equipment, the Taser has limitations and restrictions requiring consideration
before its use. The Taser should only be used when its operator can safely
approach the subject within the operational range of the Taser. Although the
Taser device rarely fails and is generally effective in subduing most
individuals, officers should be aware of this potential and be prepared with
other options in the unlikely event of such a failure.
Authorized personnel may use a Taser
device when circumstances known to the individual officer at the time indicate
that the application of the Taser is reasonable to subdue or control:
(a) A violent or physically
resisting subject, or
(b) A potentially violent or physically
resisting subject if:
1. The subject has verbally or
physically demonstrated an intention to resist; and
2. The officer has given the subject
a verbal warning of the intended use of the
Taser followed by a reasonable
opportunity to voluntarily comply; and
3. Other available options
reasonably appear ineffective or would present a greater danger to the officer
or subject.
(c) Although not absolutely
prohibited, officers should give additional consideration to the unique
circumstances involved prior to applying the Taser to any of the following
individuals:
1. Pregnant females;
2. Elderly individuals or obvious
juveniles;
3. Individuals who are handcuffed or
otherwise restrained;
4. Individuals who have been
recently sprayed with alcohol based Pepper Spray or who are otherwise in close
proximity to any combustible material;
5. Individuals whose position or
activity may result in collateral injury (e.g. falls from height, operating
vehicles, etc.)
The Taser device shall not be used
to torture, psychologically torment or inflict undue pain on any individual.
308.54 REPORT OF USE
All Taser discharges shall be
documented in the related arrest/crime report. Accidental discharges of a Taser
cartridge will be documented on a memorandum and forwarded to the sheriff
through the chain of command. Any report documenting the discharge of a Taser
cartridge will include the Taser and cartridge serial number and an explanation
of the circumstances surrounding the discharge.
Should a Taser cartridge be required
to be retained as evidence or to document a malfunction, the entire cartridge
(body, wires, probes) shall be booked into evidence and held pending the
outcome and subsequent disposal.
The on-board Taser memory will be
downloaded through the data port, and saved with the related arrest/crime
report.
308.55 MEDICAL TREATMENT
Any person who has been subjected to
the electric discharge of a Taser and/or struck by
Taser darts shall be medically
cleared prior to being booked. Individuals who have been subjected to the electric
discharge of a Taser and/or struck by Taser darts and who are also suspected of
being under the influence of controlled substances and/or alcohol should also
be examined by paramedics or other qualified medical personnel as soon as
practicable.
Further, any person struck with
Taser darts or injured by a probe shall be treated by medical personnel as soon
as practical after the incident with only qualified medical personnel removing
the Taser darts from a person’s body. Used Taser darts shall be considered
a sharp biohazard, similar to a used hypodermic needle, and disposed of
accordingly.
308.56 TRAINING
In addition to the initial approved
training required to carry and use a Taser device personnel must be recertified
by a Taser instructor annually prior to the continued use of the device.
Notification of recertification will
be done by the Training Coordinator. Any personnel who have not carried a Taser
as a part of their assignment for a period of six months or more shall be
recertified by an approved Taser instructor prior to again carrying or using
the device. A reassessment of an officer’s knowledge and/or practical
skill may be required at any time if deemed appropriate by the Training
Coordinator.
Officers shall only use Tasers and
cartridges that have been issued or approved by the Sheriff’s Office. The
Taser will be carried as a part of a uniformed officer’s equipment in an
approved holster.
(a) If the Taser is carried as a
part of a uniformed officer’s equipment, the Taser shall not be carried on
the same side as the officer’s duty weapon.
(b) All Taser devices shall be
clearly and distinctly marked to differentiate them from the officer’s
duty weapon and any other device.
(c) Whenever possible, officers
shall carry a total of two or more Taser cartridges on their person at all
times while carrying a Taser.
(d) Officers shall be responsible
for insuring that the Taser is properly maintained and in good working order at
all times.
(e) Officers should never hold both
a firearm and a Taser at the same time unless lethal force is justified.