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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: May 29, 2025 Amends - GO 8.1.2 (March 7, 2024 ) Number: 8.1.2A Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: March Reviewing Authority: HRD / Training Subject: Taser Energy Weapon (TEW) – TASER 10 This order consists of the following : 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide deputies with guidance and direction on the use of Taser Energy Weapons (TEW) - (formerly electronic control device ECD). 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency that personnel performing official duties shall comply with applicable law, and specifically Fourth Amendment standards, by using a level of f orce that is objectively reasonable in light of the surrounding facts and circumstances. Courts examine the factors announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor to determine whether the use of force was objectively reasonable. A deputy must consider the following factors when deploying an Taser Energy Weapon (TEW) : (a) the severity of the alleged crime at issue; (b) whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others; and (c) whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. TEW’s have been proven effective and are authorized for use in appropriate circumstances by trained personnel. 3. Definitions A. Active Physical Resistance - slight to moderate physical harm: a subject makes physically evasive movements to defeat a deputy’s attempt at control. This may be in the form of bracing or tensing, attempts to push/pull away or not allowing the deputy to get close to him/her. B. Aggravated Physical Resistance - great bodily harm: A subject makes overt, hostile, attacking movements with or without a weapon with the apparent ability to cause death or great bodily harm to the deputy or others. C. Critica l TEW Incident – When a TEW is deployed on a subject that results in serious/critical injuries or experiences a serious/critical health condition resulting from a TEW deployment and the subject is transported to the hospital, or when the subject dies. D. Deadly Force – Force that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. 8.1.2, Page 2 of 15 E. Evidence.com - Axon Enterprise, Inc (Axon) solution for secure digital media storage and management. F. Function Test Mode –a mode wher e the device will conduct a fully automated diagnostic self -test. G. Neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) – an involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves which may interfere with an individual’s ability to utilize the affected mus cles. H. Passive Physical Resistance – slight physical harm: A subject physically refuses to comply or respond to a deputy’s command. He/she does not make any attempt to physically defeat the actions of the deputy but forces the deputy to employ physical ma neuvers, or use of a chemical agent to establish control. I. Securing Under Power – A technique used to secure a subject during the activation cycle, as instructed through training. J. TASER 10 Cartridge – A cartridge unique to the TASER 10 platform that has one singular probe in it. K. TASER 10 Magazine – A magazine that is inserted into the front of the TASER 10 device, that holds 10 cartridges. Duty magazines (black in color) are the o nly magazines authorized for field use. All other magazines (training/purple, HALT/blue, and inert/red) are for training use only. L. Taser Coordinator - A TEW Master Instructor designated to manage the agency’s Taser program. The coordinator shall develop t raining, ensure recertification criteria is met, distribute updates and information, and work with Material Control/Supply to track/maintain inventory. M. Taser Energy Weapon (TEW) - A device designed to disrupt a subject’s sensory nervous and motor nervous systems by means of deploying battery powered electrical energy sufficient to cause uncontrolled muscle contractions and override an individual’s voluntary motor responses. N. TEW Instructors - authorized agency members who have received advanced TEW and c omplied with Axon’s certification standards . They are authorized to teach agency approved TEW material. Only TEW Instructors who are current members of the training section are authorized to inspect, repair, replace, or download a TEW device. O. TEW Master Instructors - authorized agency members who have received advanced TEW training and have complied with Axon’s certification standards. They are authorized to inspect, conduct minor repairs, download a TEW , and can teach agency TEW user and instructo r courses. They possess specialized training and experience pertaining to the TEW . 8.1.2, Page 3 of 15 P. Warning Alert - Prior to cartridge deployment, a feature that emits a bright light from the front of the Taser as well as a loud noise. 4. Procedures A. Authorized Users 1. Only those who have satisfactorily completed the agency’s approved training course shall be authorized to carry a TEW. Agency members issued a TEW shall be trained and recertified annually by the Training Section on