ST. GEORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
3-05-05.00

ELECTRONIC INCAPACITATION DEVICE - ADVANCED TASER

EFFECTIVE DATE:
DISTRIBUTION:
AUTHORIZATION:
3-05-05.01

ALL SWORN MEMBERS
Chief Marlon Stratton:

ELECTRONIC INCAPACITATION DEVICES:
The ADVANCED TASER is a Conducted Energy Weapon; an electronic incapacitation
device. It is a defensive weapon, which is listed in the force continuum at the same level as
O.C. spray; after soft empty hands. The ADVANCED TASER functions in two ways:
1) It uses compressed nitrogen to project two probes a maximum of 21 feet. An
electrical signal is then sent to the probes, via small wires, which disrupts the body’s
ability to communicate messages from the brain to the muscles and causes motor
skill dysfunction.
2) Acts as a touch stun system when brought into immediate contact with a person's
body.
The decision to use the ADVANCED TASER is based on the same criteria an officer uses
when selecting to deploy O.C. spray, or a baton. The decision must be made dependant on
the actions of the subject(s) or threat facing the officer(s), and the totality of the
circumstances surrounding the incident. In any event; the use of the ADVANCED TASER
must be reasonable and necessary.
The ADVANCED TASER is not meant to be used in deadly force situations. The
ADVANCED TASER should not be used without a firearm back up in those situations
where there is a substantial threat towards the officer(s) or others present.
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. Using the ADVANCED TASER
may greatly reduce the need for other types of physical force by the officer(s) resulting in
serious or potential deadly injury to the offender, officer, or others present.
Any use of an electronic incapacitation device contrary to the direction of this policy can
result in the revocation of the officer's right to use such product and may subject the officer
to disciplinary action.

3-05-05.02

ISSUING OF THE ADVANCED TASER:
Department personnel shall only carry and use ADVANCED TASERs or electrical
incapacitation devices approved by the Chief of Police. Members may only use Department
issued ADVANCED TASER cartridges. A record of cartridge serial numbers provided with
each weapon will be maintained in a log book which will be kept with that weapon at all
times. The logbooks will be audited at least once a year by a Department ADVANCED
TASER instructor.

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Department issued ADVANCED TASERs may be assigned to patrol supervisor units and
specialty units.
Members of the Department may have an ADVANCED TASER assigned to them as deemed
necessary by their supervisor, other administrators, or Chief of Police.
The shift supervisor should have an ADVANCED TASER in their assigned vehicles at all
times.
A record will be kept of all ADVANCED TASERs, their serial numbers, and what officer or
division they have been issued to. In the event that an ADVANCED TASER is returned for
repairs or no longer remains the property of the St. George Police Department; the use
history of that particular ADVANCED TASER will be down-loaded using the data port
access and appropriate software. The use history will be maintained for a period of five
years from the date the ADVANCED TASER was taken out of issue.
Use histories will be run on each ADVANCED TASER once each year. Any indications of
misuse of the device may result in disciplinary action or revocation of the users certification.
3-05-05.03

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION:
All members who carry and/or use an ADVANCED TASER must first successfully complete
a 4 hour ADVANCED TASER familiarization program, to include written and practical
tests. A mandatory re-certification program will be completed annually. The re-certification
will be a minimum of two hours.

3-05-05.04

USE OF AN ADVANCED TASER ON VICIOUS ANIMALS:
The full effect of an ADVANCED TASER on animals is not yet proven. However; field
deployments have shown positive results and the ADVANCED TASER has been an
effective tool against vicious animals. Animals have also shown the ability to quickly
recover from the effects of the Taser, due to differences in their nervous system. As soon as
the Advanced Taser temporarily disables the animal; officers should be prepared to act
quickly with control devices or restraints. Using the ADVANCED TASER against vicious
animals may reduce the need for greater, more injurious force against such animals.
Personnel should deploy an ADVANCED TASER on an animal when other conventional
means to control the animal have been exhausted, or may be unreasonable. The use of an
ADVANCED TASER on an animal should be based on the intent to provide a safer, more
humane and less traumatic conclusion to the incident.
Officers should be prepared to use other means of justified force if necessary, and should use
conventional means of animal control if feasible. Conventional means of controlling the
animal (e.g.: control sticks collars, cages) should be on hand at the scene, if possible, prior
to the use of the Advanced Taser. Personnel should be prepared to apply conventional
controls once the Advanced Taser subdues the animal. An ADVANCED TASER may be
deployed on an animal when:
1.

A vicious animal is threatening or is attacking a citizen, an officer, or other animal
and the use of other force is not reasonable, or may not be desired given the situation.

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2.

A vicious animal has threatened or attacked a citizen, an officer, another animal, or
has caused a continuing public nuisance and the vicious animal needs to be controlled
for reason of public peace or safety, preservation of property, or other legitimate
purpose; and the animal poses an active threat to officers in their efforts to perform their
duty. The ADVANCED TASER will be used in an effort to safely facilitate the
application of more conventional animal control methods in these situations.
Other sections of this policy that apply to issuance, training / certification, deployment
procedures, precautions and duties also apply to this section; although the other sections
apply generally to deployments against persons.

Center mass of the animal should be targeted. Care should be taken to ensure the head, and
other sensitive areas on the animal are not targeted. It is understood that deployments
against vicious animals may be very dynamic in nature and the probes may impact
unintentional areas. Procedures for probe removal should take place as outlined in 3-0505.06. Personnel will take reasonable measures to ensure the animal's welfare is provided
for, in the event that probes impact a sensitive area, or it appears the animal's health is in
jeopardy. It is generally understood that as long as personnel acted appropriately; the
animal's owner will be responsible for any medical attention needed by the animal. Disputes
regarding veterinary care should be referred to the City Attorney.
3-05-05.05

USE OF AN ADVANCED TASER ON PERSONS:
The ADVANCED TASER is not a substitute for deadly force and should not be used in
those situations. Deployment of the ADVANCED TASER should be backed up with the
availability of lethal force. The ADVANCED TASER may be used in those situations
where:
1. A subject is threatening himself, an officer, or another person with physical force and
other means of controlling the subject are unreasonable or could cause injury to the
officer(s), the subject(s) or others
2. In cases where Officer / Subject factors indicate the officer(s), offender(s) or others
would be endangered by the use of physical force.
A. Other means of lesser or equal force have been ineffective and the threat still exists to
the officer(s), subject(s), and others.
3. Center mass of the body should be the target area when firing an ADVANCED TASER,
particularly the center mass of the back; as clothing tends to be tighter on this part of the
body. Personnel encountering subjects wearing heavy or loose clothing on the upper
body should consider targeting the legs. The head and face should not be targeted unless
the appropriate level of force can be justified.
The ADVANCED TASER will never be used punitively or for purposes of coercion. It is to
be used as a way of averting a potentially injurious or dangerous situation. The
ADVANCED TASER has an effective range of 13 feet, with a 15-foot cartridge; and 19 feet
with a 21-foot cartridge. Ranges under 3 feet may not provide adequate distribution of the
probes to allow the unit to function to its full effectiveness. Firing the Advanced Taser at a
subject at a range closer than 3 feet is not dangerous to the subject, however.

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Prior to the deployment of an ADVANCED TASER; the person deploying has the
responsibility to visually and physically confirm that the tool selected is in fact an
ADVANCED TASER and not a firearm. The deploying person should also notify dispatch,
if feasible, that an ADVANCED TASER is going to be deployed. The deploying person
should also notify any on-scene, assisting officers that they intend to deploy an
ADVANCED TASER. Immediately prior to deploying the ADVANCED TASER the
deploying person should announce, if feasible, "TASER! TASER! TASER!". The
announcement should be made only if it would not endanger any civilians, officers or the
suspect.
The ADVANCED 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. Personnel should be especially aware of this when in
known meth lab environments.
Proper consideration and care should be taken when deploying the ADVANCED TASER on
subjects who are in an elevated position or in other circumstance where a fall may cause
substantial injury or death. Officers must be prepared to justify such a deployment.
3-05-05.06

DUTIES AFTER DEPLOYMENT:
Immediate action should be taken to care for the injured, to apprehend any suspects, and to
protect the scene.
Once the subject is restrained or has complied; the ADVANCED TASER should be turned
off.
An ADVANCED TASER will not be left unattended except in exigent circumstances as
when an officer is forced to act alone in taking custody of an immediate threat.
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. Medical treatment will not be refused for anyone
who requests it.
Medical personnel will remove probes located in sensitive areas such as the face, neck, groin
or breast.
Removal of probes in other areas may be done by officers; at the discretion of the on scene
supervisor. Officers will provide first aid following removal of the probes by applying
iodine or alcohol wipes, and band-aids to the probe sites as needed. Officers should inspect
the probes after removal to ensure that the entire probe and probe barb has been removed.
In the event that a probe, or probe barb has broken off and it is still embedded in a subject's
skin; the subject should be provided appropriate medical attention to facilitate the removal
of the object.
Photographs will be taken of probe impact sites and any other related injuries.
Probes that have been removed from skin will be treated as biohazard sharps. They should
be placed point down into the expended cartridge bores and secured with tape.

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Officers will attempt to locate the yellow, pink and clear colored "micro-dots" dispersed at
the time of the cartridge firing. These will be collected and placed into evidence with any
expended cartridges.
Involved personnel will attempt to locate and identify any witnesses to the incident.
Officers shall refrain from discussing the incident until the arrival of an on scene shift
supervisor or other administrator. The involved personnel will brief them of the
circumstances surrounding the incident and what action has taken place.
The deploying officer(s) will assist in the completion of a Supervisory ADVANCED
TASER Deployment Report.
Book the offender into jail or take other appropriate action. Jail personnel shall be informed
the subject was controlled by use of an ADVANCED TASER.
Subjects controlled by the use of an ADVANCED TASER will not be transported face
down.
3-05-05.07

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The first supervisor on scene should ensure that proper care is given to injured officers and/or

citizens.
He/She should ensure all responsibilities of the officer have been carried out regarding care
for the injured, apprehension of the suspects and protection of the scene.
The supervisor shall ensure the proper notifications of Department Command staff are made,
as soon as possible.
The shift or on scene supervisor shall notify the Patrol Lieutenant if any traumatic injury has
occurred due to the use of force involving the ADVANCED TASER. The Patrol Lieutenant
will then notify the Assistant Chief and Chief of Police.
The Patrol Lieutenant shall determine if detectives are to be called to investigate the incident.
A Supervisory ADVANCED TASER Deployment Report shall be completed and
forwarded to the Patrol Lieutenant, Assistant Chief, Chief of Police, and an ADVANCED
TASER instructor(s).
All other written reports associated with the incident shall also be completed before the end
of the shift and forwarded in the same manner.
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND FULLY UNDERSTAND.

Signature of Employee

Date

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