TASER Flashcards
Electrical Summary
- Electricity must be able to flow between the probes or the electrodes
- Electricity follows the path of least resistance between the probes
- The greater the spread between the probes on the target, the greater the effectiveness
- Electricity will not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact is made directly between or on the probes or wires
Electrical Summary
- Electricity must be able to flow between the probes or the electrodes
- Electricity follows the path of least resistance between the probes
- The greater the spread between the probes on the target, the greater the effectiveness
- Electricity will not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact is made directly between or on the probes or wires
Electrical Summary
- Electricity must be able to flow between the probes or the electrodes
- Electricity follows the path of least resistance between the probes
- The greater the spread between the probes on the target, the greater the effectiveness
- Electricity will not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact is made directly between or on the probes or wires
Hazardous Practices
- Accidental discharge
- Reckless aiming of taser at another officer
- Failing to store and secure a taser causing accidental discharge
- Covering lens of taser cam
- Any action or inaction deemed a a hazardous practice
Start of shift procedures & Spark testing
Whenever the taser is removed from storage for operational use, a spark test must be conducted by the taser user
- Ensure the taser is UNLOADED whilst performing a spark test
Taser Justification
- Protect human life
- Protect yourself or others where violent confrontation or violent resistance is occurring or imminent
- Protect an officer in danger of being overpowered or to protect themselves or another person from the risk of actual bodily harm or
- Protection from animals
Criteria to discharge taser
- Once taser has been discharged officers should attempt to restrain the subject as quickly as possible, once subject under control the taser use should be discontinued (get your offsider to go in and secure/restrain the offender, handcuff if necessary, roll onto recovery position)
- Be sure not to cross wires
- Before using the taser officer should verbally warn the subject
Taser use restriction
cannot be used
- for investigation purposes
- near explosives, flammable liquids or gasses
- passive non compliance
- refusing to comply with police instructions
- refusing to move or offering little or no resistance
(also)
- person who is handcuffed
- against female SORG of being pregnant
- Elderly or disabled persons
- drive stun for pain compliance
- using the taser in prolonged fashion (more than 5 seconds)
what do you do when you use the taser (paperwork)
When taser has been used (probed deployed/ drive stun) as result of exceptional circumstances the circumstances are to be recorded in cops event and sitrep, also applies for draw and arm, report.
what is a single cycle
- a 5 second cycle in either probes discharged or drive stun mode
- officers are not to use taser in prolonged fashion by holding trigger down for more than 5 seconds unless in exceptional circumstances
Multiple cycles
- Use of multiple cycles should be avoided and only used in exceptional circumstances
- After 3 cycles police MUST consider the effectiveness of taser as the appropriate tactical option and must consider alternative tactical options
- Need to be justified for each taser cycle
- officers should be aware that multiple or prolonged use of taser may increase risk of serious injury and or death
What are the different modes of use of taser
Probes discharged;
- is when probes are released from cartridge and make contact with subject
Drive stun:
- Achieved by applying direct contact of the electrodes of the taser to a subject with or without a cartridge attached to the device
Draw and cover:
-Where circumstances dictate the drawing of the Taser from the holster so as
to cover a subject that is displaying aggressive or non-compliant behaviour,
the Taser must be immediately armed. The cartridge may or may not be
fitted, the safety switch is in the ‘F’ (Fire) position, the power indicator is
illuminated and the integrated Laser is on and aimed at the subject. (The
‘Red’ laser dot is visible on the subject, at the projected point of contact)
Primary drive stun areas
- Upper chest
- Forearm
- Outside thigh
- Calf muscle
Secondary drive stun area
- Side of neck
- Pelvic triangle
High risk situation policy in regards to taser
- Deployment of taser should not be used to resolve high risk situations unless there are exceptional circumstances that exist that may require use of a taser
Post deployment considerations
- Move in and secure offender (handcuff/restrain)
- communicate with offender and keep them informed on what is happening
- Ensure offender is in recovery position
- Contact supervisor immediately
- Ambulance called immediately
- Probes may be removed by officer (ambulance
What is NMI
- Neuro muscular incapacitation is a direct involuntary contraction of the muscles that disrupts
neuro-muscular control, affecting the motor, sensory and nervous systems within the body.
What is a taser cartridge
The Taser cartridge is a housing that can be fitted to the Taser device and contains a compressed
nitrogen capsule capable of discharging two probes relative to each other at an 8 degree downward
angle in the direction of the intended target.
what is taser armed
The ‘safety’ switch is manually moved to the uppermost position (F), the power indicator is
illuminated, the integrated laser sight is activated and the Taser is ARMED.
What are the probes
Two straight stainless steel barbs that are projected from the cartridge upon discharge of the Taser
connected by a thin insulated wire up to a distance of approx 7.6 metres.
What is AFID
-Anti Felony Identification – every time a Taser cartridge is discharged, 20-30 small confetti-like
ID tags called AFIDs are ejected. Each AFID contains the serial number of the cartridge it was
discharged from, allowing authorised staff to complete an audit trail of the discharged cartridge.
Hazardous Practices
- Accidental discharge
- Reckless aiming of taser at another officer
- Failing to store and secure a taser causing accidental discharge
- Covering lens of taser cam
- Any action or inaction deemed a a hazardous practice
