Wednesday, January 10, 2001 4:36 PM

JAN-10-2001

13:33

p.02

Adi and Bob Brown 7653429923

SHF MORGAN COUNTY

765 349 5058

F

P.Ol

Morgan County Sheriff Department
TASER Poli~y
Introduction: The ADVANCED TASER Model M26, is not a substitute fur deadly
force. However. there are many situations where the perpetrator will not follow verbal
direction from the officer or is actively resisting and the use of the M26 will prevent
many ofthese situations from escalating to higher levels, including deadly force.
The ADVANCED TASER is a less lethal, Conducted Energy Weapon, that uses
propelled wires to conduct energy to a remote target. thereby controlling and overriding
the central nervous system of the body.

The probes are launched from the M26 using compressed and inert nitrogen capsule3
(1800 psi) located within the air cartridge which will propel the probes a maximum range
of21' and effectively penetrate up to 2' of clothing. Due to the design ofthe probe, it will
not penetrate the perpetrator by more than Y..", even at Point Blank. range.
The ADVANCED TASER Model M26. is a brand name and is manufilctured by TASER
International. Scottsdale) AZ. 85260-9913 USA. (480) 991-0797.
Wby it works: Conducted Energy weapons are effective because they override the
central nervous system ofthc human body. The human nervous system conununicatesby
means of simple electrical impulses. The M26 sends out short

duratio~ high

voltage

electrical waves or TASER-Waves, or T-Waves that overpower the nonnal electrical
signals within the nerve fibers. As a result ofusing TASER technology. the officer gains
control of the situation with minimum iqjuties to the suspect and minimum risk to the
officer while maintaining a safe distance of up 21 feet.
STUN vs. Electro-Muscular-Disruption (EMD): St"" systems only affect the sensory
nervous system. ie... stun systems cause a tremendous amount of «noise" to be fed to the
brain - sensations which can be overwhelming to most people. But stun systems do not
cause a direct physical effect. Stun systems generally have a power range of 5-15 watts.
EMD (Electro-Muscu/tU'-Disruplion) systems override the central nervous system and

take direct control of the skeletal muscles. The ADVANCED TASER. M26 is an EMD
system and affects the sensory and motor nervous system. Like a stun system, EMD
systems flood the nervous system with signals. However, these systems go one step
further by direetly causing the muscles to contract. Hence, even someone whose sensory
nervous system is impaired by drugs will have inYoluntary muscle contractions. The
ADVANCED TASER, produces 26 watts of power at 50,OOOvoltll.

1

Wednesday, January 10, 2001 4:36 PM

JAN-10-2001

13:33

Adi and Bob Brown 7653429923

SHF MORGAN COUNTY

F

p.03

765

34~

5058

P.02

Medical Safety and Fiodings: It is not the voltage that is dangerous; it is the amperage.
The electrical output ofthe ADVANCED TASER is 50,000 volts. The voltage may seem
high, however, the amperage (amps) is well below safe limits.
The ADVANCED TASER M26 is 162mA Inns. (162 rnA = 0.162 Amps)
Irms is Root mean Square Body Current. 162mA Inns = 162 milliamps root mean square
body current.
Testing has concluded that the ADVANCED TASER bas no effect on heart rhythms
(animal testing). Testing bas also been conducted on over 700 human volunteers with no
~wy and resulted in over 99% incapacitation in less than one second. There may be a
minot skin irritation, similar to sunburn, present as a result of use. but this win disappear
in a few hours. The designs ofmodem pacemakers will withstand the electrical
defibrillators, which are several hundred times more powerful than TASER pulses from
the ADVANCED T ASER M26. Note: Further in/ormation available in the TASER
International lesson plan lor certification.
CASE LAW: There has been no litigation against TASER International fur product
liability. No existing case law concerning TASER International as of 9/2000. There have
been no deaths contributed solely to the use of the TASER

POLICY ON USE OF THE ADVANCED TASER M26
FQrce Continuum: The following force continuum is to be used as a guide for the
deployment of the M26.
(Lowest level of force to highest)

Offit:er presence
Verbal Direction
Use of OC spray or TASER
Empty Hand CODtrol Tadies (non-paiD and pain compliance)
Impact Weapons (ASP Baton and Bean Bag)

Deadly Forte
Any time that a TASER is to be deployed in a tactical setting, the officer using the

TASER shall announce that he is about to deploy by saying "TASERI" in a clear and
audible tone, so that other officers will be aware that the shot is from a TASER and not a
fireann. Thus lowering the probability of an accidental discharge of a flrearm by fenow
officers serving as backup who could mistake the TASER shot for a gunshot.
Surrounding agencies to The Morgan County Sheriff Department shall be contacted and
those agencies may be given a short presentation ofthe TASER and demonstrate it's
function whenever feasible. This will further decrease the likelihood ofan accidental
discharge ofa backup officer should he/she be present at the time of the TASER's
utilization and deployment. A written statement should be furwarded to the Chief ofeach
agency infonning them ofthe Morgan COlDlty Sheriff Department's adoption of the
ADVANCED TASER

2

JAN-10-2001

13:33

p.04

Adi and Bob Brown 7653429923

Wednesday, January 10, 2001 4:36 PM

SHF MORGAN COUNTY

F

765

34~

5058

P.03

Deployment of the M16: All officers who are issued the M26 ADVANCED TASER
Shall be certified as an end user by a TASER International,. Certified Instructor prior to
deployment in the field. This consists of4 hours of instruction (minimum) and will
require annual in·service to remain certified. A copy of all initial certification training
shall be kept on file with the department training officer and TASER Internetional.
The Morgan County ShcriffDepartnlent sba11 keep all annual in-service training records.
CODsideratioDS: The M26 should only be used to stop a threat. This would include, but
is not limited to. Threats to officer safety, Threats to others. and includes the threat of a
suspect injuring himself. The M26 Shall neve,. be usM. 4S a tool for coercion. The M26
that is fielded by the Morgan County Sheriff Department has a built in 66Data Port" which
enables the Department Instructor to download the last 585 uses ofthe M26 and it will
show tbe mm1dd/yy and time ofuse. This will be
for each deployment in the field
(non-training) and a copy oftbe record will be retained as evidence alo08 with the spent
air cartridge. Anytime the MZ6 is utilized, including visual presentation to a suspect,
Laser illumfnation, sparking. contact stun andfiring the air cartridge during a w:mtraining situation, the officer responsible willforward a USE OF FORCE REPORTto the

oone

Department TASER Instructor to place in the usage jile and to forward to TASER
International. Any puncture or skin irritations shall be photographed and retained
evidence as well.

ro.-

LimitatioDs for use of M26: Do Not use the M26 in the following situations-1. Any known or obviously pregmmt female.
2. Any subject who is saturated with or in the presence ofhighly flannnable or
combustible materials and liquids.
3. Any subject who may receive a secondary injury resulting from a £ill :from its use,
i.e.... standing on a roof ledge.
4. The filcial area ofthe head.

Treatment: Once the subject is in custody notifY the dispatch center of the M26
Deployment and ask for Fire/EMS to respond to the scene and evaluate the suspect. In
most instances the suspem will not require transport to a medical facility. Point out the
punctW'e sites as necessary to FirelEMS personnel. Only Emergency Room Staffmay
remove probes from sensitive tissue areas ie. Face, Neck, Groin and Female Breast.
Removal from other areas will be to the discretion ofthe on-scene supervisor.
Blood Borne Pathogens: Any time the probes have penetrated the skin ofa suspect they
should be considered as Infectious and treated as any other potentially hazardous
"Sharps ". The probes, once removed, should be carefully returned to the air cartridge tip
first•.yeced with tape andplaced into a biohazard sharps containerfor evidence.

1".

~is~September12.2000'

Charles E Deaver, Sheriff

~~

s:RobertM B
n Jr.
TASER Instructor

3
TOTAL P.03