A Shocking Device-Officers to begin carrying Tasers soon
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McMinnville Police Chief Charlie Sewell generated the policy with the help of MTAS, the Municipal Technical Advisory Service.
Not only do officers have to make a report if they deploy the Taser, a report must be made if they pull out the Taser and use the laser beam without deployment.
The reasoning behind the added requirement is to keep a close eye on all aspects of Taser use. Those numbers will be available for review by the department and anyone who is interested.
‘What we will be able to do is track how many times we deployed the weapon without firing it,’ said Sewell.
During a presentation in October, Capt. Randy Evans and Lt. David Dukes from the Cookeville Police Department reported their department’s use of the Taser was minimal because just pointing the Taser is enough to defuse most situations. Sewell would like to keep records to prove that information is true.
‘We want to show that it actually calms people down without firing it,’ said Sewell.
Also, before the Taser can be used, an officer must take into consideration the circumstances. Some of the factors that must be considered:
‘ Officer/subject size disparity.
‘ Officer/subject strength disparity
‘ Officer/subject skill disparity
‘ Officer/subject age disparity
‘ Officer’s perception of the subject’s willingness to resist
‘ Officer’s perception of the immediate threat to the subject, officers and others.
‘ Suspect’s criminal/violent history, if known by the officer
‘ Officer’s location is a hostile environment
‘ Officer’s perception of the subject being under the influence of central nervous system stimulants and other narcotics/alcohol that affect pain tolerance and violence.
Under the ‘do not use’ section of the policy, officers are not allowed to use a Taser on any known or obviously pregnant female. Also, individuals who are saturated with, or in the presence of, highly flammable or combustible materials or liquids, and individuals who may receive a secondary injury resulting from a fall from the Taser’s use are prohibited.
Immediately following Taser deployment, medical personnel will be summoned to the scene to assess the subject. If the exam or other circumstances dictate the subject needs further medical treatment, the subject will be transported to the nearest medical facility.
If medical attention is not required, jail personnel will be informed the subject was controlled by the use of an X26 Taser.
Sergeants within the department will undergo six hours of training first. Later, others will undergo training and the Tasers will be alternated per shift.
City officials on the Safety Committee voted unanimously to adopt the policy for Taser use.