go-07.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Taser Energy Weapons CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 7 07/02/2007 12/11/2024 13 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES FS Chapter 776, Justifiable Use of Force General Order 16, Digital Audio/Video Recording System General Order 19, Digital Evidence Capturing Devices General Order 42, Impounding and Control of Property and Evidence General Order 60, Response to Resistance General Order 61, Weapons, Firearms and Less-lethal Firearms General Order 63, Officer-Involved Action Resulting in Serious Injury or Death ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapter 4 CFA Chapter 10 KEY WORD INDEX Application Cautions and Prohibitions Procedure III Application Protocols Procedure IV Application Protocols – Aggressive Animals Procedure VI Authority to Carry and Training Requirements Procedure I Equipment and Maintenance Protocols Procedure II Evidence Collection Protocols Procedure VIII Medical Aid Protocols Procedure V Notifications, Reporting, and Downloads Procedure VII Supervisor and Watch Commander Responsibilities Procedure IX POLICY Officers authorized to use a Taser Energy Weapon (TEW) shall adhere to the Department’s response to resistance standards, TEW training, the protocols of this general order, and applicable Florida Statutes.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEFINITIONS Active Resistance: Physically evasive movements, with or without verbal resistance, to defeat an officer’s attempt at control, but not intended to harm the officer. Examples include, but are not limited to, linking arms with others, bracing or tensing, attempts to push or pull away, and walking or running away. Aggressive Resistance: Assaultive or attacking movements which present an imminent threat of physical harm (but not likely to cause death or serious injury) to any person (i.e., the officer, the person offering the resistance, others), and prevents the officer from placing the person under control and in custody. Examples include, but are not limited to, taking a fighting stance, punching, kicking, striking, biting, and attacking with weapons not likely to cause serious injury or death. Cartridge: The replaceable unit for the TEW, which propels a barbed probe on thin connecting wires. Apply/Application: When a TEW is fired at, a person or animal. AVR: Digital Audio and Video Recording System. Taser Energy Weapon (TEW): A Department-issued taser energy weapon, which is designed to affect the sensory and motor functions of the central nervous system. Deployment: With the exceptions of training, inspection, or storage, anytime a TEW is drawn from its holster or displayed. Function Test: An assessment of the proper operation of a TEW through a standardized procedure. Hyperactive Delirium with Severe Agitation: Persons may present with increased/pronounced agitation, altered mental status (paranoia), elevated temperature and blood pressure, metabolic derangements, disorientation, aggressive words and/or actions, hallucinations, delusions, and occasionally combative or uncooperative behavior. Less-lethal Force: Any force other than deadly force which is neither likely to cause, nor intended to cause, death or serious injury. Objectively Reasonable: In the context of response to resistance encounters, officer’s actions which are deemed appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them at the time. An officer’s response to resistance actions is always GENERAL ORDER 7 PAGE 2 of 13 TASER ENERGY WEAPONS DECEMBER 11, 2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT analyzed from the perspective of a reasonable officer possessing the same information and facing the same circumstances as the officer who actually used force. Off-duty: When an officer is not engaged in on-duty or secondary employment activity. On-duty: When an officer is working their regular duty assignment or any special assignment compensated by the Department. Passive Resistance: Verbal and/or physical refusal to comply or cooperate with (or respond to) an officer’s lawful directions, but taking no or only minimal physical action to prevent an officer from placing the person in custody and taking control. Examples include, but are not limited to, refusing to move or remaining stationary, and not moving when directed. Probe: For the purposes of this policy, a metal dart propelled from the cartridge. Propelled Probe Application: The primary application method of the TEW where the weapon’s probes are fired at a person or an animal. Secondary Employment: Employment of an officer by an entity other than the Department, where a condition of the employment is the actual or potential use of law enforcement powers by the employed police officer. Trained Medical Professional: A paramedic, nurse, doctor or other certified medical services provider employed by a licensed medical facility or contracted medical provider. Unintentional Discharge: A non-deliberate propelling of TEW probes. PROCEDURES I. AUTHORITY TO CARRY AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS A. Only sworn members are authorized to carry and utilize a TEW. B. Only officers who successfully complete the Training Section’s initial TEW operator’s certification course are authorized to utilize a TEW. C. TEW-certified officers must successfully complete the Training Section’s annual TEW recertification course in order to continue utilizing a TEW. D. TEW-certified officers are authorized to carry the TEW only when on-duty or engaged in secondary employment. GENERAL ORDER 7 PAGE 3 of 13 TASER ENERGY WEAPONS DECEMBER 11, 2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT E. When off-duty, TEW-certified officers shall ensure their TEW is stored in a prudent and safe manner, and not utilize their TEW except for: 1. Training, 2. Inspections, and 3. Function testing (as outlined in subsection II E below), II. EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE PROTOCOLS A. Only Department-issued TEWs are authorized for use by officers. B. Officers are responsible for maintaining their assigned TEW in a state of operational readiness, to include the proper maintenance and care of its air cartridges, battery and holster, and officers shall adhere to the following: 1. Not make changes, alterations, or modifications to the TEW except as authorized by the Training Section, 2. Forward all requests for TEW repairs and accessories to the Training Section, 3. Not utilize a malfunctioning or uncharged TEW, and 4. Return inoperable or defective TEWs to the Training Section. C. The TEW shall be carried loaded with a cartridge containing 10 probes of the type and in the manner specified by the Training Unit, and in an approved holster at all times. 1. While in uniform and wearing the TEW on the duty belt, it shall be placed on the support side in a cross-draw manner, and 2. Officers wearing the TEW on a raid vest or any other type of outer vest carrier shall adhere to the TEW carry method and training methodology approved by the Training Section. D. Commanders of specialty and support units shall adopt a TEW carry method and training methodology approved by the Training Section. E. Officers should conduct a function test, if worn, before the beginning of their tour of duty to ensure the TEW is functioning properly. GENERAL ORDER 7 PAGE 4 of 13 TASER ENERGY WEAPONS DECEMBER 11, 2024\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. The function test does not require the completion of a Response to Resistance Report. 2. The function test shall be completed in accordance with TEW training provided by the Training Section. 3. Failure to function test the TEW as directed by the Training Section could result in progressive discipline. III. TEW APPLICATION CAUTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS A. Officers are prohibited from utilizing a TEW in any manner contrary to Department training or the protocols of this written directive. B.