Advanced Taser Procedure
PURPOSE
This procedure sets forth the Akron Police Department policy regarding deployment of an
Advanced Taser.
INFORMATION
The Advanced Taser provides a force option in which the officer does not have to get
dangerously close to a threat before deploying the tool. The Advanced Taser may reduce the
need for other types of physical force by the officer(s).
The Advanced Taser is deployed as an additional police tool and is not intended to replace
firearms or self-defense techniques. Advanced Tasers fall into the category of less lethal force
technology and equipment.
The department approved M26 Advanced Taser fires two probes up to a distance of 21 feet
from a replaceable air cartridge. These probes are connected to the weapon by high-voltage
insulated wire. When the probes make contact with the target, the M26 transmits powerful
electrical pulses along the wires and into the body of the target through up to two inches of
clothing.
This Electro-Muscular Disruption technology uses a powerful 26-Watt electrical signal to
temporarily override the central nervous system and directly control the skeletal muscles. This
causes an uncontrollable contraction of the muscle tissue, allowing the M26 to physically
debilitate a target regardless of pain tolerance or mental focus.
The M26 Advanced Taser is laser-sighted – the top probe will follow the front, rear, and laser
sight; the bottom probe will travel at an 8-degree downward angle below the aim point/laser
sighted area. The rule of thumb for the bottom probe is that it drops 1 foot for every 7 feet that it
travels.
The M26 Advanced Air Taser has a dataport. It stores the time and date when it was fired.
This data protects officers from claims of excessive use of force by providing complete and
accurate documentation of each firing.
Without the air cartridge attached, an Advanced Taser also acts as a touch stun system when
brought into immediate contact with a person's body.
An Advanced Taser may be used to control a dangerous or violent subject when it is reasonable
to do so.

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PROCEDURE
I. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
A. Authorized Advanced Tasers shall be issued to and used only by officers who have
completed the Department’s Advanced Taser training program.
B. Requests for an Advanced Taser equipped officer shall be made through Safety
Communications.
C. Each discharge of an Advanced Taser shall be documented utilizing an Advanced Taser
Use Report (ATUR).
D. The M26 is programmed to give a 5-second electrical current. The operator can shorten or
extend this time. The probes should not be touched during this time period, as you would
also receive the same electrical current. In addition, officers should avoid stepping on or
tripping over the wires.
E. The preferred target area when deploying an Advanced Taser should be the center mass of
the body. The face, neck and groin area is to be avoided if at all possible.
F. Expired and expended air cartridges are replaced through the Commissary.
G. The Advance Taser has the ability to ignite flammable liquids. It will not be deployed
at subjects who have come in contact with flammables or in environments where
flammables are obviously present. Some police departments' self-defense sprays are
flammable and could be dangerous to use in conjunction with the Advanced Taser. Our
authorized OC Spray is non-flammable. Do not deploy the Advanced Taser in highly
flammable methamphetamine labs, etc.
H. Proper consideration and care should be taken when deploying the Advanced
Taser on subjects who are in an elevated position or in other circumstances where a
fall may cause substantial injury or death (e.g. pregnant woman). Officers must be
prepared to justify such a deployment.
I. The Advanced Taser will never be used punitively or for the purposes of coercion.
It is to be used as a way of averting a potentially injurious or dangerous situation.
II. OFFICERS DISCHARGING AN ADVANCED TASER SHALL

A. Request the response of a supervisor.
B. Request the response of an EMS unit.
C. Persons who have been subjected to the Advanced Taser, or the probes, shall be

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treated as follows:
1. Once in custody, officer(s) shall advise paramedics or the emergency room staff
that the person has been subjected to the Advanced Taser and relate the
approximate time the action occurred. If the probes penetrate the skin the puncture
sites shall also be brought to the attention of the officer’s supervisor, paramedics
or emergency room staff. Only emergency room staff may remove Advanced Taser
probes (Probes can only penetrate to a maximum depth of ¼ inch).
2. If the probes used are no longer impaled in the skin the subject may be released to
the custody of the officer(s) pending EMS evaluation.
3. Officer(s) shall obtain medical clearance from the emergency room physician
before transporting the subject to a detention facility. This can be obtained from the
attending physician or EMS if treated on the scene.
D. Complete an ATUR and submit with the Incident Report.
E. The air cartridge probes used are considered "sharps" and shall be discarded in the
biohazard container that all EMS units carry. Officers must use protective gloves when
handling.

III.

SERGEANT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Respond to scenes where the Advanced Taser has been deployed.
B. If not already on the scene, summon EMS.
C. Insure that officers who use the Advanced Taser complete an ATUR
D. Complete a Use of Force package and submit with the ATUR.

IV.

USE OF FORCE ISSUES
A. The use of an Advanced Taser constitutes a use of force.
B. An Advanced Taser is placed on the Use of Force Continuum at the baton level.

Shift Commanders are responsible for ensuring that incidents involving ANY discharge of an
Advanced Taser are investigated and appropriately documented and to monitor it's use and
related tactics.
By Order Of,

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_________________________________
Michael T. Matulavich
Chief of Police
Date____________________________
Officer most knowledgeable on this procedure: Lt. Michael Woody

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