Policy Text
Page 1 of 7 2/14 (REV 05/18)
Conducted Electrical Weapon
The purpose of this General Order is to establish departmental policy and procedures
regarding the deployment and acti vation of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs).
I. Policy Statement
This agency recognizes that physi cal combat with suspects and f oot pursuits of
suspects are inherently dangerous for all involved and should b e avoided when
practical. However, the mere fa ct that a foot pursuit or physi cal confrontation
may ensue is not in and of itself justification for the use of intermediary levels of
force.
In Accordance with General Order 2 /11, Use of Force, it is the policy of this
department that officers shall use only that amount of force th at is objectively
reasonable to control a violent o r potentially violent individu al.
Although CEWs are generally effe ctive in subduing and controlli ng combative
individuals, officers should reco gnize the device limitations a nd be prepared to
employ other force options as needed. This agency further reco gnizes that
CEWs are not a substitute for deadl y force, nor is there any re quirement to
exhaust non-deadly force options before resorting to the reason able use of
deadly force.
A CEW is a non-deadly device t hat can be deployed in probe and/ or drive-stun
deployment modes. The CEW deploy ed in probe mode is considered significant
intermediate force and should be used in situations involving a ctive resistance
and/or a threat of harm. The CEW deployed in drive-stun m ode provides a pain compliance force option
to officers in close quarters contact, and when used in conjunc tion with a probe
deployment can greatly increase the effectiveness of the device .
II. Definitions
A. Conducted Electrical Weapon (C EW): is a non-deadly hand hel d device
that discharges an electric cu rrent that affects the sensory an d motor
functions of the central nervous system causing temporary Nuero -
Page 2 of 7 2/14 (REV 05/18) Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) in probe mode and discomfort in d rive-stun
mode.
B. TASER.: Brand name of Conduct ed Electrical Weapon (CEW) cur rently
authorized by the department. A d ifferent CEW from another
manufacturer could be authorized in the future without requirin g the
modification of this order.
C. Cartridge: CEWs are operat ed with a replaceable single use cartridge that
utilizes compressed nitrogen to fi re probes up to 25 feet.
D. Anti-Felon Identif ication (AFID): Eac h TASER cartridge fire d will expel 20-
30 confetti-like pieces of paper with an alpha- numeric identifi er unique to
the cartridge.
E. Probe Deployment Mode: The TASER uses compressed nitrogen to
propel two probes which are connect ed to the TASER by insulated wires.
The probes travel at approximatel y 160 feet per second, and upo n striking
the target, delivers 50,000 volts of low ampere electrical char ge. The
conducted energy affects the sens ory and motor functions of the central
nervous system causing Neuro-Mu scular Incapacitation (NMI).
F. Drive-Stun Mode: The cartridge is removed and the TASER is p ressed
directly against the target. Two electrode contacts on the fro nt of the
device deliver an electric charge which lasts as long as the tr igger is
depressed and the device in cont act with the target. Although painful,
drive-stun mode is generally tem porary and localized, and does not cause
NMI. Drive-stun mode will not r eliably incapacitate individual s and should
not be used if the officer does not believe that discomfort alo ne (pain
compliance) will control the individual.
G. Three Point Contact: The fron t of the TASER is used to make contact with
the suspect subsequent to a probe deployment. This may be requ ired if
the probes do not have sufficien t spread preventing NMI, or whe n one of
the two probes does not make su fficient contact with the target . The
device contact should be at least four inches away from the pro bes. The
greater the distance from the pr obes, the greater the effective ness. The
additional control provided by th ree point contact will cease w hen the
TASER device is no longer in contact wit h the individual.
III. Training Requirements
A. Personnel who have complet ed department-approved training ma y be
issued a TASER device for use in their assignment.
B. Officers shall only use the TASER device and cartridges that have been
issued by the department.
C. Officers will be required to a ttend TASER proficiency traini ng as
prescribed by the department Rangem aster. This training should include
Page 3 of 7 2/14 (REV 05/18) device limitations, policy revi ew, deployment criteria, weapon retention
and qualification.
IV. Deployment
A. Uniformed officers assigned a TASER shall carry the device i n a weak-
side holster opposite their duty weapon
B. Plainclothes officers may sec ure the TASER device inside the driver’s
compartment or trunk of their vehicle.
C. Officers assigned within a c orrectional or fixed post facili ty can carry