TRAINING
ULLETIN
Los Angeles Police Department

Bernard C. Parks, Chief of Police

Volume XXXIV, Issue 1

January 2002

Safety

Air Cartridge
Laser Aiming Device
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Battery Indicator

Dataport
Battery Cover Pin

USE OF FORCE
TASER M-26
The TASER model M-26 is a less-lethal, conducted energy weapon that can be used to
control aggressive/combative suspects, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury to the
officers and the suspect. The TASER M-26 uses an Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD)
system, which overrides the Central Nervous System and takes direct control of the
skeletal muscles, usually causing the suspect to fall to the ground. It is important for
officers to be thoroughly familiar with the operation of the TASER M-26 for maximum
effectiveness in controlling an aggressive/combative suspect. This Training Bulletin will
discuss the components, operations and policy pertaining to the TASER M-26.

USE OF FORCE
TASER M-26
Page 2

KEY COMPONENTS

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ElectroMuscular
Disruption
System
(EMD)

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Features

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Cartridge

Nitrogen filled air cartridge
Inserted with either end up
Solid yellow face for training (15-foot range)
Yellow/black striped face for field use only (21-foot range)

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Tabs are marked with the cartridge serial number
Releases 40 small tabs each time the TASER is fired
Gives genera/location of where the device was fired

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Digital MicroProcessor
and
Data Port

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Shaped like a firearm
Safety in similar location as the de-cocker in the Department issued handgun
Placing the safety up activates the laser sights
Multiple sighting systems (laser and fin/blade sights)
Laser shows the path of the top probe
Activated for 5-seconds (automatic pulse regulation) by pressing trigger
Automatic pulse regulation can be overridden by placing the safety down

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..l .nti-Felon
Identification
(AFID) Tags

Batteries

No long term effects on the suspect
Contracts skeletal muscles by overriding the central neNOUS system
Electrical output is 50,000 volts, with 26-watts (0.162 amps)
Emits TASER waves (T-waves) similar to normal electric signals in the body
Usually causes the suspect to fall to the ground
Suspect can be touched while TASER is activated except between or within
2" of the probes
Effective in water, as long as both probes hit and attach to the suspect

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Stores the date and time of each activation
Information accessed via the dataport on rear of device
If the dataport's rubber cover is missing, the TASER should be taken out of
service

Uses 8-AA rechargeable batteries
Batteries located in the grip of device
Accessed through bottom of grip by depressing pin and sliding base forward
Charge LED light is not accurate due to use of rechargeable batteries
Officers must conduct an operational spark test at start of watch
to determine if there is sufficient charge in the batteries
Kit room responsible for charging the batteries at least once
every 2-weeks

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USE OF FORCE
TASER M-26
Page 3

OPERATION AND DEPLOYMENT

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Spark Check
(Weapon
Inspection)

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Loading

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Operations

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Unloading

Only the yellow/black striped faced cartridges should be used in the field
Verify the cartridge is not expended and the expiration date has not past
Ensure the safety is in the safe (down) position
Hold with your primary hand, while with your support hand place the
cartridge in the receiver
Do not allow your hand to pass in front of the cartridge face
Squeeze the buttons so the cartridge slides into the receiver (cartridge will
snap in place) and place in holster for storage
Holster shall only be worn on the support side (opposite side of the gun)

Place the safety in the up position, which will activate the laser sight. Aim at
the suspect using either the laser sight or the fin and blade sights
The primary target area is center body mass. The operator shall be within
21-feet of the suspect (ideally from 12-18 feet)
Press the trigger to deploy the probes; there is an automatic 5-second
electric charge sent to the probes
If the suspect's aggressive/combative behavior continues, the trigger can be
pressed more than once to gain compliance
The automatic charge is overridden by putting the safety in the down position

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Place the safety in the safe (down) position when no longer needed
Point towards a wall or safe direction
Grip the cartridge making sure your hand is not in front of the cartridge face
Depress the buttons on either side of the cartridge and pull it out

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For use on aggressive/combative suspects
Not as effective as deploying probes, no EMD, stuns only
Use as a last resort to create separation between the officer and suspect
Activated by pressing trigger with or without cartridge in place
If cartridge is in place and has not been deployed, the probes will be
deployed when the trigger is depressed
Recommended locations for direct contact stun feature are: sternum
(breastbone), outside of thigh, side of chest (below the armpit)

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Direct Stun
Feature

Never place your hand in front of or inside the cartridge chamber
Visually check to ensure there is not a cartridge in the chamber
Point at a wall or other object away from other people
Place the safety up, activating the laser sight, ensuring the laser sight is
functioning properly (one dot representing the path of the top probe)
Press the trigger and listen for rapid sparking
A one or two second test indicates that there is adequate battery power
Put the safety in the safe (down) position and load
Each time the spark check is conducted it should be recorded on the DFAR

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USE OF FORCE
TASER rvl-26
Page 4

DEPARTMENT POLICY
Use of Force Policy (1/573)
Only officers trained in the use of the TASER model M-25 shall deploy it. The ~,i-26
may be deployed on an aggressive/combative suspect, when the officer believes:
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Deadly force does not appear to be justifiable and/or necessary; and
Attempts to subdue the suspect with other less-lethal tactics have been
or will likely be ineffective in the situation; or
There is a reasonable expectation that it will be unsafe for officers to
approach within contact range of the suspect.

Officers are reminded that a mere verbal threat of violence by a suspect does not in
itself justify the use of a TASER.
;: is important for officers to verbalize with the suspect. Continuous verbalization can
lead to the de-escalation of the situation, thus reducing the chance of injury to the
suspect or the officers. Remember, the use of the laser sight as a deterrent is not a
reportable use of force.

Special Considerations
Officers should avoid deploying the TASER when the suspect is:
• In control of a motor vehicle;
• In danger of falling, or could be caught in machinery or heavy equipment
which could result in death or serious bodily injury;
• Near flammable or combustible fumes;
• Near a pool, lake or similar body of water;
• Known to have a pacemaker, or is known to be pregnant.

Deployment
When an officer believes a situation requires a TASER, a TASER-equipped unit shouto
be requested by asking for a "Code Tom" over the radio. If possible, officers should
have a second TASER as a back-up in case the first one fails to operate. As in any
volatile situation, the suspect should be contained as soon as tactically possible. When
sufficient officers are present they should form a Combative Suspect Control Team
and devise a tactical plan. To reduce the chances of officers being struck by the
probes, they should avoid standing within range of the device.

USE OF FORCE
TASER M-26
Page 5

Verbal Warning (HRB Notice 9-28-01)
A verbal warning shall be given, when feasible, to a suspect before any device that
poses a "significant risk of serious injury" is utilized. The warning is not required when
an officer is attacked and must respond to the suspect's actions. Additionally, if a
tactical plan requires the element of surprise in order to stabilize the situation, a warning
will not be given. The verbal warning and who gave it or the reason it was not given
shall be documented on the appropriate reports.

Medical Treatment (4/648.11)
Whenever the TASER is used and the probes or "stun gun" make contact with the
suspect's skin or clothes, the suspect shall be immediately examined by a doctor or a
nurse at a contract hospital or a jail dispensary, or by a paramedic. Only medical
personnel shall remove the probes from the suspect's skin. If the suspect loses
consciousness, a rescue ambulance shall be requested immediately. Photos
documenting injuries or the lack of injuries shall be taken.

CONCLUSION
The TASER model M-26 offers many features to make it an effective weapon for
subduing an aggressive/combative suspect. The pistol-like shape, multiple sighting
systems, increased power, expanded range and tracking system improve the overall
effectiveness of the M-26. To take full advantage of these features, it is important for
officers to be thoroughly familiar with the operation of the TASER and its effectiveness
in controlling aggressive/combative suspects. Proper use of the TASER will greatly
reduce the likelihood of injury to both the officer and the suspect.

FIELD TRAINING SERVICES UNIT
CONTINUING EDUCATION DIVISIOf\l
Distribution "A"