Taser

Question 1

Taser Justification

Answer 1

Discharge a taser to:
- Protect human life,
- Protect yourself or others where violent confrontation or violent resistance is occurring or imminent,
- Protect an officer/s in danger of being overpowered or to protect themselves or another person from the risk of actual bodily harm, or
- Protect from animals.

Question 2

Considerations (before drawing…)

Answer 2

Before drawing and during use of taser you should continually assess the situation, whilst always having a backup plan.

Question 3

Parts of the Taser

Answer 3

• Rear sight
• Front sight
• Speaker port
• Trigger
• Cartridge release button
• Arc switch
• Rechargeable battery pack
• Central info display (CID)

Question 4

Optimal spread, max and min range

Answer 4

• 30 cm or spread for every 3.3 meters of travel
• Minimum range is 90cm
• Maximum range 11 metres

Question 5

Preferred target zone

Answer 5

• The back is the most preferred target area when reasonably practical because it contains larger muscle groups and reduces the risk of hitting sensitive body areas.
• Split the belt line
• Do not target head, eyes, throat, chest or genitals!

Question 6

Secondary target zone

Answer 6

• The front of the body is the secondary target zone.
• One probe above and one below the waistline

Question 7

Criteria to draw and cover with CWE

Answer 7

• Do not draw or aim unless you consider you are likely to be justified to use it
• When drawing the taser, it must be immediate armed upon removal from the holster (turn it on as soon as you pull it out)

Question 8

Taser use restrictions

Answer 8

• Around anything flammable
• Where there is a possibility of secondary injuries (falling from a ledge)
• On non-compliant subjects that are non-threatening
• Against a mental health patient solely to make them submit to medication or treatment

Question 9

Exceptional circumstances

Answer 9

o Elderly or disables
o Handcuffed person
o Someone who may be pregnant
o Small people (body mass) including child
o Driver of vehicle / machinery
o Someone fleeing
o Pain compliance

Question 10

Time for cycle and max cycles

Answer 10

• Taser discharge cycle lasts 5 seconds
• Max of 3 cycles, then consider other options / the effectiveness

Question 11

Modes of use

Answer 11

• Painting
  o Look at my pretty lights, my taser is on and ready to use
• Warning arc
  o Can you see/hear that, my taser is on and ready to use
• Probes discharged (firing)
  o Trigger is pulled, NMI (hopefully) achieved
• Drive stun
  o Direct contact of taser to someone and press arc switch (cattle prod)
  o Only use in exceptional circumstances

Question 12

Function test (why and steps)

Answer 12

• The function test is completed to verify the CEW’s core electronics and both cartridges are working properly
• Steps;
  o Taser off
  o Examine body of taser for damage
  o Hold both arc switches until CID shows percentage
  o Turn on taser, should be yellow background with black squares
  o Press arc switch, examine arcs for proper function
  o Turn taser off
  o Holster