Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2005-2006

Use of the Taser by Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Published: June 22, 2006 10 pages

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Findings 21 findings

Every local law enforcement agency has a Taser policy in place.

All local law enforcement agencies have reviewed and revised their Taser Policies within the past twelve months.

Not all local law enforcement agencies publish a “use of force” report that includes Taser use and deployment.

Every local law enforcement agency uses either the M26 or X26 Taser. No local agency currently issues a Taser to each individual officer.

Every local law enforcement agency currently employs an officer trained to instruct in the proper use of the Taser according to individual department policy.

Every local law enforcement agency uses the most current Taser training material provided by Taser International for initial and updated Taser training. POST does not provide Taser training to California law enforcement officers.

Taser training officers must be re-certified every two years.

Only officers who have received Taser training are authorized to carry a Taser.

Every local law enforcement agency requires that officers who are going to carry Tasers on their duty shifts, must test the weapon prior to departing the office.

F10

Officers carry a Taser on the opposite side of their bodies from their lethal weapons.

F11

It is reported by training officers that the mere threat of using a Taser will often de- escalate a volatile situation.

F12

The range of probes from a Taser is fifteen to twenty-one feet from weapon to target, thus reducing the proximity of physical contact.

F13

When either the M26 or the X26 is discharged, small, colored and transparent, coded microdots, called afids, disburse into the surrounding area. The afids facilitate the collection of evidence and are traceable to the taser weapon used.

F14

Barbs that penetrate the skin can be removed easily by officers or medical personnel.

F15

Commonly, photos are taken of barb sites after removal. - 28 The Taser: Don’t Be Shocked

F16

The M26 and X26 Taser models have built-in memory that documents use of the weapon and are capable of being downloaded and used for statistical data gathering. Not all local law enforcement agencies have purchased the computer hardware to download this information.

F17

Local law enforcement agency administrators were knowledgeable about the Taser and the controversy surrounding its use.

F18

A search of the literature by the Grand Jury found that death or injury, associated with Taser utilization by law enforcement, occurred disproportionately in suspects on drugs, in states of excited delirium, or in those who received persistent multiple shocks.

F19

It is difficult for law enforcement officers to quickly recognize the broad range of symptoms exhibited in states of excited delirium.

F20

All of the policy items listed in the ACLU-NC “Best Practices Taser Policy” are partially or fully addressed in the Taser Policy of every local law enforcement agency.

F21

Local law enforcement administrators and training officers have told the 2005-2006 Grand Jury that officer Workers Compensation claims and suspect injuries have declined since Taser use began. Conclusions

Recommendations 5

R1

Local law enforcement agencies should continue to be diligent in updating their Taser policies to conform to changing regulations and technology.
R2

Currently, all Taser training officers receive their training from Taser International. Local law enforcement administrators should lobby POST to provide independent training for Taser use.
R3

Local law enforcement agencies should publish a Use of Force Report to include Taser usage. Portions of this report could be shared with members of the community to foster educational awareness and improve community relations.
R4

The Grand Jury recommends that law enforcement agencies within the county begin a tracking system to determine if a correlation between Taser deployment and the number of law enforcement officer Workers Compensation claims exists.
R5

Local law enforcement agencies should train their personnel in the recognition of symptoms related to excited delirium and establish policies for handling persons in that state. As soon as reasonably possible, the services of medical professionals should be enlisted to render appropriate care.