Taser Use Research Articles

Taser Use in Scotland: a Qualitative Study of Police Officer and Community Perspectives

AbstractThis study delves into police and public views on Taser deployment in Scotland, coinciding with its most significant introduction. Using comprehensive qualitative data, we highlight findings from interviews with 13 Specialized Training Officers (STOs), responses from 88 police officers, and focus groups involving 66 community members in western Scotland. Findings indicate officers largely perceive Tasers as an effective deterrent against violent crime, enhancing community safety. However, while the general public is predominantly supportive, concerns arise regarding potential misuse against youth and risks posed to the vulnerable. These apprehensions cast doubts over further Taser expansions. The study underscores key considerations for future policies, operational practices, and research avenues.

A Study on Countermeasures for Disruptive Passengers on Board Aircraft

Unlawful acts and unauthorized disruptions by passengers on aircraft have been on the rise post-pandemic with the increased air travel demand. In recent years, the number of such incidents involving passengers has not only increased but also diversified. Depending on the severity of these actions, they can potentially have serious consequences for aviation safety. Therefore, there is a pressing need for strong intervention regardless of means used in some cases. This situation highlights the crucial role of cabin crew more than ever before. However, despite the importance of addressing actions that may pose a safety threat by passengers promptly and decisively, there is a growing confusion in practical scenarios regarding the use of tasers. To address this and enhance aviation safety and security, this study examined the appropriateness of taser usage based on the types of threats posed. As a result of this, a taser usage matrix was developed, taking into account the legal positions, roles of in-flight security personnel and special law enforcement officers of cabin crews on board. The outcome of this research is expected to provide clear and comprehensive guidelines for taser usage, thus improving efficiency in responding to unruly passengers. Also, the intention of the study is to establish specific taser usage regulations for in-flight tasks, deriving practical solutions needed in the field. Through these efforts, the aviation industry will be able to enhance aviation safety and security by equipping itself with more effective means to counter illegal disruptions and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members. Key Words: Tasers, Cabin Crew, Aviation Security, Unruly Passenger, Air Rage, Tasers Usage Manual

An Exploration of Officer Gender and Use of Force Incidents in a Transit Police Department

The literature is unclear about whether male officers engage in more use of force incidents than female officers. One limitation of the research is that studies tend to focus on local police and have ignored other law enforcement. To address this, we explore potential gender differences among transit police officers using use of force data from 2009 to 2016. The results revealed a similar level of force used by male and female officers, but there appear to be some noteworthy differences by weapon type. While they were equally likely to use tasers, male officers were more likely to use batons and hand control and female officers were more likely to use firearms and OC spray. Additionally, we found some interesting differences in the predictors for taser use as compared to other weapons, particularly OC spray. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Police use of TASER: A systematic review of potential decision factors, including officer crewing levels

Police use of TASER can have serious consequences; therefore, it is important to examine any modifiable operational factors that impact an officer’s decision to use TASER. As previous research has identified a potential relationship between crewing and TASER use, a systematic review was undertaken to explore which factors might impact use of TASER by the Police Service of England and Wales, including officer crewing levels. Over 14,000 records were screened, resulting in a final sample of 20 studies; with findings indicating that further research is needed to better understand TASER use and ensure policy is well informed and appropriate.

Non-fatal injuries among police officers during use-of-force encounters.

Occupational injuries are common in police work due to routine exposure to conflict, violence, accidents, and other hazards. However, little is known about the factors associated with non-fatal job-related injuries among police officers. To study the factors associated with non-fatal job-related injuries among Tucson, AZ, police officers during encounters involving the use of force. Data were analysed on all use-of-force cases involving Tucson police officers from January 2018 through June 2020. Logistic regression models were used to assess the factors that influence the likelihood of officer injuries. Overall, about 11% of officers involved in a use-of-force encounter were injured. Multivariate analyses reveal that defensive physical resistance by the suspect increases injury risk among officers. When suspects assault officers or others during the encounter, the risk of officer injury also increases significantly. Certain types of force used by police, such as hands-on tactics and TASER use are also associated with increased risk of injury among officers. The age and race of the suspect are not associated with the likelihood of injury among officers. Certain suspect behaviours and use-of-force modalities increase the risk of injury among officers. Understanding these risk factors can help employers put in place appropriate measures to reduce the risk of occupational injuries among police officers.

JUE Insight: Hot temperatures, aggression, and death at the hands of the police: Evidence from the U.S

We study the effect of temperature on police-involved civilian deaths in the U.S. from 2000 to 2016. We show that both violent crimes and the number of officers assaulted or killed increase on warmer days (≥17°C), indicating greater personal danger to officers and bystanders on such days. Consistent with these higher threat levels, we find suggestive evidence that fatal shootings of civilians by officers similarly increase on warmer days. However, when we account for surges in officer–civilian interaction, we find no additional effect of high temperatures on fatal shootings, indicating a lack of behavioral or physiological response on the part of officers. Finally, our results for other causes of death show that, on extremely warm days (≥32°C), the number of casualties associated with the use of Tasers and physical restraints is significantly higher independently of increased interaction between officers and civilians. The results suggest a need to reevaluate the use of Tasers and physical restraint techniques to prevent unintended deaths.

Police Use of TASER: Multi-Level Predictors of Firing and Drawing in One-to-One Use of Force Incidents

Using multi-level modelling, this article analyses data from 16 police agencies in England and Wales where one officer, carrying TASER, used force on one member of the public (N = 11,176). When compared to incidents involving handcuffing only, resistance, gender and mental health status of the member of the public and the need to protect officers or others were associated with increased odds of TASER drawing and firing. Incidents involving lone officers increased odds of firing compared to incidents where they were accompanied by an officer not using force. Compared to the White reference category, incidents involving Black/Black British members of the public, or a male officer, were associated with increased odds of drawing compared to handcuffing. Incidents involving Asian/Asian British members of the public, or children, were associated with decreased odds. As the proportion of incidents where TASER was carried increased, odds of use decreased.

Case for reform in use of tasers

Changes to police training and recruitment needed after rise in taser use against children, say campaigners

Evaluating the 4th Circuit’s decision to limit officer use of Tasers: a descriptive and time-series approach

ABSTRACT In 2016, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Armstrong V. Village of Pinehurst that the use of conducted energy devices (CEDs) on resisting but non-violent and stationary defendants was unconstitutional. Because most empirical studies show that the adoption of CEDs led to reductions in suspect and officer injuries, there are concerns that placing greater restrictions on CED use may increase the risk of injuries. Officers may resort to alternative methods of force to gain citizen compliance, including hands-on tactics, batons, and firearms. Findings from an interrupted time-series analysis show significant reductions in CED uses and threats and increases in firearm threats. Interestingly, significant reductions in suspect injuries were also found. Other findings from a survey of large law enforcement agencies that fall within the Fourth Circuit’s jurisdiction to assess the impact of the Court’s decision on policy are presented. Policy implications and future research are discussed.

Fatal officer involved shootings following the use of TASER conducted energy weapons

This study investigates the risks and causes of fatal officer involved shootings (OIS) following ineffective applications of TASER conducted energy weapons (CEWs). Content analysis of open-source records resulted in quantitative and qualitative characteristics and conditions associated with the ineffective application of CEWs resulting in fatal OIS. Research and field-use data indicate that CEWs were ineffective in as many as 47% of applications. From 1985 through 2020, 1349 fatal OIS followed ineffective applications of CEWs in the United States. Officers were more likely first to use CEWs to subdue minority suspects before fatally shooting them than they were with White suspects. In 14 instances since 2004, suspects shot and killed 16 law enforcement officers following ineffective applications of CEWs. The policy implications of the findings are articulated. This is the first study to examine the use of deadly force following the ineffective use of TASER technology.

Do policy and training changes influence patterns of police use of force? An interrupted time-series analysis

PurposeThe current study examines the effect of changing a specific use-of-force policy coupled with de-escalation training implementation on patterns of police use of force.Design/methodology/approachAn interrupted time-series analysis was used to examine changes in police use-of-force incident records gathered from a large, southwestern US metropolitan police department from 2013 to 2017 based on a TASER policy change and de-escalation training implementation mid-2015.FindingsResults demonstrate that changes to use-of-force policy regarding one type of force (i.e. use of TASERs) coinciding with de-escalation training influence the prevalence of use-of-force incidents by increasing the reported police use-of-force incidents after the changes were implemented. This finding is somewhat consistent with prior literature but not always in the desired direction.Practical implicationsWhen police departments make adjustments to use-of-force policies and/or trainings, unintended consequences may occur. Police administrators should measure policy and training outcomes under an evidence-based policing paradigm prior to making those adjustments.Originality/valueThis study is the first to measure the effects of changing use-of-force policy and implementing de-escalation techniques in training on patterns of police use of force and shows that these changes can have a ripple effect across types of force used by police officers.

An analysis of the effectiveness and use by the New Zealand Police of the TASER from 2009 to 2017

A number of police agencies around the world have introduced conductive energy devices such as the TASER as a less-than-lethal weapon to restrain physically violent subjects. Despite the increase in TASER use, there is a limited amount of literature available that examines its use and effectiveness. The New Zealand Police introduced the TASER in 2009 following a successful trial of the device. This research examines the use and effectiveness of the TASER by the New Zealand Police for the period 2010 to 2017 and shows that the use of the device has increased year-on-year. The analysis also found that while use of the device has increased at violent events, the form of that use has changed. Over the period of analysis, use of the discharge mode has increased compared with the show mode and as the use of the TASER increased, injuries sustained by subjects and officers also increased. The research also highlights the limitations of the methodology adopted to measure the effectiveness of TASER use and discusses options that could assist future research in examining use of the TASER by police agencies.

Taser use on individuals experiencing mental distress: An integrative literature review.

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUBJECT?: People experiencing mental distress have a high rate of contact with police in community crisis events. Police use a continuum of responses when managing situations involving agitation, aggression and behavioural problems. People experiencing mental distress have been subjected to Tasers as part of the police response. Following a number of deaths and numerous reports of injuries, concerns have been raised about the safety of Tasers. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS?: Police use of Tasers in mental health crises is relatively common. Tasers are used in a range of settings including public places, private residences and healthcare facilities. People experiencing mental distress may be subjected to more use of Tasers than the general population. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Mental health professionals need to work with police towards greater understanding of the needs of people experiencing mental distress and to promote the use of non-coercive interventions in mental health crisis events. Mental health researchers need to explore the qualitative experiences of people who are Tasered, to provide an evidence base for Taser use with people experiencing mental distress. ABSTRACT: Introduction Conducted electrical weapons, or "Tasers," are currently used by over 15,000 law enforcement and military agencies worldwide. There are concerns regarding the effectiveness, potential for harm and overuse with people experiencing mental distress. Aim To explore the literature about police use of Tasers with people experiencing mental distress. Method An integrative review was undertaken, and qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches were used. Results Thirty-one studies were included. Of all recorded usage, overall prevalence of Taser use on people experiencing mental distress was 28%. This population appears to experience higher Taser usage than the general population. Discussion There are substantial gaps in the research literature particularly with respect to the decision-making processes involved in deploying Tasers on this population and the physical and psychological consequences of Taser use in this context. Implications for practice Police use of Tasers in mental health crises is relatively common and occurs in a variety of environments including mental health settings. Mental health professionals need to work with police towards greater understanding of the needs of people with mental illness and to promote the use of non-coercive interventions in mental health crisis events.

Towards a socio-technical understanding of discretion: a case study of Taser and police use of force

ABSTRACT Using a case study of the ‘less lethal’ electric-shock weapon the Taser in English and Welsh policing, this article argues that the notion of discretion as an arena in which police officers are able to exercise free will can be overstated. Drawing on insights from Science and Technology Studies, it is argued that discretionary decisions may well be structured not only by the human agency but also by the presence and agency of nonhumans and the socio-technical networks within which they are embedded. Whilst existing work has recognised the human and societal influences impacting officer decision making, this article draws on Science and Technology Studies to argue there are merits to a distinctly socio-technical approach to discretion. Broader implications for discretion by police officers and other ‘street level bureaucrats’, for STS and criminology and for policies around Taser are also discussed.

Hospital Security Programs and Policies Related to Guns and Other Weapons.

Workplace violence in healthcare is a health and safety problem that can have a significant impact on the mission and effectiveness of organizations. To ascertain hospital approaches to address violence and experiences with guns and other weapons, we conducted a survey of International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety members. Although many hospitals have enhanced their security programs, many challenges persist. We found that armed security appears to be increasingly prevalent in hospitals, and the use of Tasers appears to be increasing the most in comparison to other weapons. Most of our survey respondents did not perceive officers losing control of their weapons during altercations in their healthcare facility as a real risk. In addition, roughly half of the respondents reported that portable metal detectors (including wands) were not used in their facilities. The disposition of weapons confiscated by security also raised concerns about how legally owned firearms can be safely returned to their owners while they are still on hospital property.

Hot Temperatures, Aggression, and Death at the Hands of the Police: Evidence from the U.S.

We study the effect of temperature on police-involved civilian deaths in the U.S. from 2000 to 2016. We show that violent crimes and the number of officers assaulted or killed both increase with warmer days (>17C), indicating a greater personal danger on such days. Consistent with higher threat levels, we found suggestive evidence that fatal shootings similarly increased during warmer days. However, accounting for a surge in officer-civilian interaction, we found no additional effect of high temperatures on fatal shootings, indicating a lack of behavioral or physiological response from the officers. Finally, our results for other causes of death show that during extremely warm days (>32C), the number of casualties associated with Taser use and physical restraint were significantly higher independently of increased interaction between officers and civilians. The results suggest a need to reevaluate the use of Tasers and techniques of physical restraint to prevent unintended deaths.

Emergency Medical Services Experience With Barb Removal After Taser Use By Law Enforcement: A Descriptive National Study.

Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs), including Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifles (TASERs), are increasingly used by law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the US and world-wide. Little is known about the experience of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers with these incidents. This study describes EMS encounters with documented TASER use and barb removal, characteristics of resulting injuries, and treatment provided. This retrospective study used five combined, consecutive National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS; Salt Lake City, Utah USA) public-release datasets (2011-2015). All EMS activations with documented TASER barb removal were included. Descriptive analyses were carried out. The study included 648 EMS activations with documented TASER barb removal, yielding a prevalence rate of 4.55 per 1,000,000 EMS activations. Patients had a mean age of 35.9 years (SD=18.2). The majority were males (80.2%) and mainly white (71.3%). Included EMS activations were mostly in urban or suburban areas (78.3%). Over one-half received Advanced Life Support (ALS)-level of service (58.2%). The most common chief complaint reported by dispatch were burns (29.9%), followed by traumatic injury (16.1%). Patients had pain (45.6%) or wound (17.2%) as a primary symptom, with most having possible injury (77.8%). Reported causes of injury were mainly fire and flames (29.8%) or excessive heat (16.7%). The provider's primary impressions were traumatic injury (66.3%) and behavioral/psychiatric disorder (16.8%). Only one cardiac arrest (0.2%) was reported. Over one-half of activations resulted in patient transports (56.3%), mainly to a hospital (91.2%). These encounters required routine EMS care (procedures and medications). An increase in the prevalence of EMS activations with documented TASER barb removal over the study period was not significant (P=.27). At present, EMS activations with documented TASER barb removal are rare. Routine care by EMS is expected, and life-threatening emergencies are not common. All EMS providers should be familiar with local policies and procedures related to TASER use and barb removal.El SayedM, El TawilC, TamimH, MailhacA, MannNC. Emergency Medical Services experience with barb removal after TASER use by law enforcement: a descriptive national study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(1):38-45.

‘Taser, Taser’! Exploring factors associated with police use of Taser in England and Wales

ABSTRACT Police use of Taser in England and Wales has received little academic attention, despite being the topic of much public controversy. Much of our knowledge comes from the United States of America, but these findings are based on a small number of data sets and little testing has been done to see whether such findings apply internationally. This article uses a novel dataset from a police agency in England and Wales, and pilots new covariates, to conduct a multivariate analysis of factors associated with Taser use: the first time such analysis has been conducted outside of North America. This analysis also provides an ideal opportunity to test long-standing theoretical debates about whether police use of force is affected by ‘who the citizen is’, as the conflict approach would predict, or ‘what the citizen does’, in keeping with the consensus tradition. Variables from both the former (namely gender and mental health issues) and the latter category (including presence or use of a weapon) were found to be statistically significant after the inclusion of controls. The results highlight limitations to the application of the American based literature internationally and demonstrate stronger support for consensus than conflict theories. They also highlight that, under certain conditions, it may be appropriate for officers to take civilian characteristics into account when making use of force decisions.

A Review Study on Police Taser Gun Use Practices in the Korean National Police Agency: An Analysis of Police Use of Force Reports

지난 2005년 총기 사용을 대체하고 보다 안전한 법집행을 위해 우리나라 경찰에 최초 도입된 테이저건은 사용 빈도가 급격히 증가하고 있으며, 현재 일선 지구대 파출소 경찰관들이 가장 자주 활용하는 경찰장비의 하나로 자리 잡고 있다. 총기에 비해 테이저건은 사용 대상자의 사망 또는 부상 가능성이 현저히 낮고 사용 요건 역시 현저히 완화되어 있다는 장점으로 인하여 날로 사용 빈도가 증가하고 있지만 테이저건 장비 자체는 사용 대상자의 생명·신체에 대한 중대한 위험성이 잠재되어 있다. 실제 2017년 6월 경남 함양군에서 정신병원을 거부하며 흉기를 들고 저항하던 40대 남성이 경찰 테이저건에 맞은 후 사망하는 사례가 국내 최초로 발생하였으며, 테이저건 오발로 인한 대상자의 실명 사례, 대상자가 테이저건 피격 후 쓰러지면서 자신이 들고 있던 칼에 찔려 사망하는 사례 등이 발생하였다. 또한 경찰의 귀가 요청에 불응한 술에 취한 고등학생을 대상으로 테이저건을 사용한 사례도 발생함으로써 적절한 테이 저건 사용 한계에 대한 재조명이 필요한 시기라 할 수 있다. 이러한 배경에서 이 연구는 실제 우리나라 경찰관들이 작성한 테이저건 사용보고서를 분석함으로써 일선 경찰의 테이저건 사용 실태 파악을 시도하였다. 분석 결과, 대부분 의 경찰 테이저건은 대상자가 경찰관 또는 제3자에 대한 주먹질, 발길질과 같은 신체적 폭력 이상의 위해를 가하는 상황, 체포의 대상자가 도주하는 경우, 대상자가 자해를 시도하는 경우에 사용되고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 일부의 경우 대상자가 단순히 체포·연행에 불응하는 경우 및 대상자를 경찰관에 대한 모욕죄의 현행범으로 체포하는 과정에서도 테이저건을 사용하고 있는 것으로 분석되었다. 이와 같은 상황에서의 테이저건 사용은 미국 연방법원 및 주요 경찰관서에서 설정한 테이저건 사용 한계를 벗어나는 반면, 우리나라 경찰의 테이저건 사용 가이드라인은 체포·연행에 소극적으로 저항하는 경우와 경미한 범죄의 현행범 체포 상황에서의 테이저건 사용에 대한 명확한 판단을 제공하고 있지 않다. 결론적으로 이 연구에서는 보다 합리적인 경찰 테이저건 사용을 위한 정책적 제안을 논의하였다.Since taser guns were first deployed in the Korean National Policy Agency in 2005, tasers have been one of the most frequently used force options in the line of police duty. Although police tasers are originally designed to minimize the amount of physical harm to theirs subjects, a great deal of research has warned the use of police tasers may result in subjects’ death or serious injury. In 2017, a mentally-ill person who refused to be transferred to a mental hospital, while resisting the police, was fatally tasered by the police death, which is the first death in Korea resulting from police use of tasers. Furthermore, many civilian injuries and death caused by police tasers have been reported. Recently, police officers applied a taser to stun a high school students who resisted the police just with only verbal abuse. Therefore, the current study examined police taser gun use practices in Korea by reviewing police use of taser reports filed by frontline officers in the country. By doing so, the present study found that most of police tasers were applied to subjects who were at least combative or physically resistive. However, a few police officers applied tasers to subjects who were non-compliant or resisting officers’ command by locking arms or tightening their body. As police use of tasers to passively resisting the police can be actionable under Section 1983 in the United States, the current use of force guidelines in the Korean National Police Agency must be reconsidered to properly advise its officers’ use of tasers. The current study also discussed policy implications and suggestions for future studies.

Smart use of smart weapons: jail officer liability for the inappropriate use of tasers and stun guns on pretrial detainees

The US Supreme Court in Kingsley v. Hendrickson (2015) ruled that the use of a taser on a pretrial detainee for not following verbal commands, when the subject was not posing a threat to the security and order of the jail, was objectively unreasonable, unrelated to legitimate penological needs, and that the subjective intent of the officer was not to be taken into consideration. This is a major development in prison law as the US Supreme Court specifically addresses the issue of excessive use of force on pretrial detainees, who are distinct from prison inmates. Here, the objective reasonableness standard used in Graham v. Connor (1989) for excessive use of force by the police was applied to pretrial detainees instead of the Eighth Amendment’s cruel and unusual punishment clause, thus clearly distinguishing pretrial detainees from those already convicted of crimes. Besides this decision, this paper looks at 10 Federal Circuit Court and US District Court cases involving the use of tasers and stun guns by jail officials on pretrial detainees and concludes that more emphasis on the use-of-force continuum or model, during jail officer training would go a long way in guiding in the appropriate use of tasers and stun guns, an intermediate and not an insignificant level of force, in keeping with the US Supreme Court ruling in Kingsley v. Hendrickson (2015).