Policy Text
Policy
303San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentConducted Energy Device - 1Conducted Energy Device
303.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the issuance and use of TASER devices.
303.2 POLICY
The TASER® device is intended to control a violent or potentially violent individual, while
minimizing the risk of serious injury. The appropriate use of such a device should result in fewer
serious injuries to officers and suspects.
303.3 ISSUANCE AND CARRYING EMD DEVICES
Only members who have successfully completed department-approved training may be issued
and carry the TASER device.
TASER devices are issued for use during a member’s current assignment. Those leaving a
particular assignment may be required to return the device to the department’s inventory.
Officers shall only use the TASER device and cartridges that have been issued by the Department.
Uniformed officers who have been issued the TASER device shall wear the device in an approved
holster on their person. Non-uniformed officers may secure the TASER device in the driver’s
compartment of their vehicle.
.
When carried while in uniform officers shall carry the TASER device in a weak-side holster on the
side opposite the duty weapon.
(a)All TASER devices shall be clearly and distinctly marked to differentiate them from the
duty weapon and any other device.
(b)Whenever practicable, officers should carry two or more cartridges on their person
when carrying the TASER device.
(c)Officers shall be responsible for ensuring that the department TASER device is
properly maintained and in good working order.
(d)Officers should not hold both a firearm and the TASER device at the same time.
303.4 VERBAL AND VISUAL WARNINGS
A verbal warning of the intended use of the TASER device should precede its application,
unless it would otherwise endanger the safety of officers or when it is not practicable due to the
circumstances. The purpose of the warning is to:
(a) Provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to voluntarily comply.
(b) Provide other officers and individuals with a warning that the TASER device may be
deployed.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Conducted Energy Device
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentConducted Energy Device - 2If, after a verbal warning, an individual is unwilling to voluntarily comply with an officer’s lawful
orders and it appears both reasonable and feasible under the circumstances, the officer may, but
is not required to, display the electrical arc (provided that a cartridge has not been loaded into the
device), or the laser in a further attempt to gain compliance prior to the application of the TASER
device. The aiming laser should never be intentionally directed into the eyes of another as it may
permanently impair his/her vision.
The fact that a verbal or other warning was given or the reasons it was not given shall be
documented by the officer deploying the TASER device in the related report.
303.5 USE OF THE EMD DEVICE
The TASER device has limitations and restrictions requiring consideration before its use. The
TASER device should only be used when its operator can safely approach the subject within the
operational range of the device. Although the TASER device is generally effective in controlling
most individuals, officers should be aware that the device may not achieve the intended results
and be prepared with other options.
303.5.1 APPLICATION OF THE EMD DEVICE
The TASER device may be used in any of the following circumstances, when the circumstances
perceived by the officer at the time indicate that such application is reasonably necessary to control
a person:
(a) The subject is violent or is physically resisting.
(b) The subject has demonstrated, by words or action, an intention to be violent or to
physically resist, and reasonably appears to present the potential to harm officers,
him/herself or others.
Mere flight from a pursuing officer, without other known circumstances or factors, is not good
cause for the use of the TASER device to apprehend an individual.
303.5.2 SPECIAL DEPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The use of the TASER device on certain individuals should generally be avoided unless the totality
of the circumstances indicates that other available options reasonably appear ineffective or would
present a greater danger to the officer, the subject or others, and the officer reasonably believes
that the need to control the individual outweighs the risk of using the device. This includes:
(a) Individuals who are known to be pregnant.
(b) Elderly individuals or obvious juveniles.
(c) Individuals with obviously low body mass.
(d) Individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Conducted Energy Device
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentConducted Energy Device - 3(e) Individuals who have been recently sprayed with a flammable chemical agent or
who are otherwise in close proximity to any known combustible vapor or flammable
material, including alcohol-based oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.
(f) Individuals whose position or activity may result in collateral injury (e.g., falls from
height, operating vehicles).
Because the application of the TASER device in the drive-stun mode (i.e., direct contact without