Taser Use

[EasternPromises]

What are the requirements that must be met to authorize deployment of a Taser?

At one point I had the impression they were only to be used in situations that would otherwise warrant deadly force. But I've also seen a post on here claiming that they are "pain compliance" devices, implying that they can be used anytime someone doesn't do what they're told.

In what types of situations would you feel justified in using your Taser? (that is, if your department provides you with one ;) )

(And I even remembered to Preview this post first!!)

[txinvestigator1]

What are the requirements that must be met to authorize deployment of a Taser?

At one point I had the impression they were only to be used in situations that would otherwise warrant deadly force. But I've also seen a post on here claiming that they are "pain compliance" devices, implying that they can be used anytime someone doesn't do what they're told.

In what types of situations would you feel justified in using your Taser? (that is, if your department provides you with one ;) )

(And I even remembered to Preview this post first!!)

A TASER is not a deadly force alternative.

Some departments allow it lower on the force continuum that others. Some allow its ues against passive resistance, others require its use only for active resistance.

This should be an interesting thread.

[deputywave]

What are the requirements that must be met to authorize deployment of a Taser?

Depends on the department or agency SOP.

At one point I had the impression they were only to be used in situations that would otherwise warrant deadly force. But I've also seen a post on here claiming that they are "pain compliance" devices, implying that they can be used anytime someone doesn't do what they're told.

Taser usually comes in around the same time as OC Spray would.

In what types of situations would you feel justified in using your Taser? (that is, if your department provides you with one ;) )

My department provides me one. I just break out the ol' SOP and see if it's a go.

Answers in blue.

[manahmanah]

9 out of 10 times, seeing that little red dot on your chest is enough to gain compliance. I can use it whenever I want, as long as I can articulate why I felt the need.

[Jay7376]

Me: come here
Bad Guy: F you
Me: come here or you will get tasered
Bad Guy: F you
Me: Zap!

[DeltaV]

Active resistance here. As soon as the subject pulls away, tenses up, or starts to walk/run away, they can be tazed. I can THREATEN (ie. point the red dot on them) someone with the taser before it gets to that point, and like grussem said, that usually works.

[mcsap]

Me: come here
Bad Guy: F you
Me: come here or you will get tasered
Bad Guy: F you
Me: Zap!

Sounds like a GREAT SOP to me

[APDSarge]

Our use also comes in at 'active resistance'. This doesn't mean they are fighting you or they have to be armed, just that they are resisting an officer.

This could be just pulling away or tensing, or walking/running away.

[EasternPromises]

I for one have never been arrested, and I don't know why I would be, but I'm afraid my natural reaction when someone wanted to restrain me would be to tense at least a little!

Is failing to comply the same as active resistance in your area??

[xndr]

Right out of the CA Penal Code:

... use of reasonable force to effect the
arrest, prevent escape, or overcome resistance.

[Samuel]

I for one have never been arrested, and I don't know why I would be, but I'm afraid my natural reaction when someone wanted to restrain me would be to tense at least a little!

CA Penal Code 834a. If a person has knowledge, or by the exercise of reasonable care, should have knowledge, that he is being arrested by a peace
officer, it is the duty of such person to refrain from using force or
any weapon to resist such arrest.

You may or may not have something similar in your statutes.

Is failing to comply the same as active resistance in your area??

Some departments separate Resistance into Passive and Active. We don't - we just have Resistive and, if you are failing to comply (either actively or passively), you are Resisting. For those who have Passive/Active, it will depend on How you are "failing to comply"...

embedded