TASER (Electronic Control Devices)
Version : 9.0
Detailed table of contents
This chapter contains these topics:
Summary
• Introduction
• Approved device
- Application
- Operating distance
- Approved cartridges
• Effects
Possession and legal implications
• Possession
• Legal implications (use of force)
• Accountability
Employment of TASER
• Tactical Options Framework
• Definitions
- To "prepare"
- To "show"
- To "use"
• General guidelines
• Use against armed subjects
Restrictions on employing TASER
• Passive resistance
• Demonstrations
• Crowd situations
• Pregnant females
• Flammability
• Elevated positions
• Water
• Vehicles and machinery
• Multiple and/ or extended cycles
• Other restrictions on TASER deployment
• Security and storage of TASER
Issue, return and audit of TASER
• Distribution, maintenance, and repair of TASERs
• Manual records of issue, use and return
• Return of damaged, faulty or corrupted TASER
• Pre-issue
• Post-issue
• Audit of operational TASER and TASER registers
Carrying a TASER
• TASERs must be available to certain Police employees
• TASER must be carried when available
• Who can carry a TASER operationally?
• When you carry a TASER
Deployment of TASER
• Warnings prior to deployment and discharge
• How to deploy
Unauthorised and unintentional discharges
• Causes
• Procedure
• District TASER coordinator action
• Unauthorised and unintentional discharges during training
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Operational post-incident procedures
• Notifying supervisor
• Supervisor's action after an operational TASER discharge or contact stun
• Supervisor's action after an operational TASER presentation, laser painting or arcing
• Tactical Options Report
• TASER evidential disclosures
• Privacy Act and Official Information Act requests
• Evidential downloads
• Post-incident information packs
• Death or serious injury
Aftercare
• After care and monitoring
• First aid
• Medical attention
• Records of medical examination
• Restraint
• Reassurance
• Probe removal
• Custody
• Rights and caution
Transportation, dispatch and receipt
• Carriage on aircraft
• Dispatch and receipt
- Using a commercial courier
Training
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Summary
This section contains these topics:
• Introduction
• Approved device
- Application
- Operating distance
- Approved cartridges
• Effects
Introduction
The TASER is an Electronic Control Device (ECD) - a less lethal, conducted energy
weapon. It uses an electrical discharge to disrupt the body’s ability to communicate
messages from the brain to the muscles which causes incapacitation through motor skill
dysfunction.
This chapter details:
• the devices approved for use by New Zealand Police
• in what circumstances they can be used, and
• under what conditions and rules.
Approved device
The only ECD devices approved for use by the New Zealand Police are the "TASER" X26
and “TASER X2. The Taser X26 is a single shot device and the TASER X2 is a semi
automatic two shot device. Both devices are rechargeable, incorporate optional
illumination, laser sights and an integral audio and video record capability.
Application
Application can be achieved through:
• discharging an approved cartridge at the subject (the TASER delivers an electrical
current to the subject by means of two probes attached to insulated wires)
• direct application to the subject (the TASER delivers electrical current to the subject
by means of contacts contained on the device).
Operating distance
The optimum operating distance is between 2 – 4.5 metres. The maximum range is the
length of the wires that carry the current and attach the probes to the device.
Approved cartridges
The approved cartridge for operational deployment in the Taser X26 is the 7.6 metre XP
25' air cartridge with green blast doors.
The approved cartridge for operational deployment in the Taser X2 is the 7.6 metre XP
25' smart cartridge with green blast doors.
Effects
The TASER relies upon physiological effects other than pain to achieve its objective. It
delivers a sequence of high voltage low amperage, short duration pulses over a five-
second cycle. The application is likely to instantaneously incapacitate the subject,
rendering them incapable of continuing any activity. The likely result is that the subject
will immediately collapse to the ground.
The effect of incapacitation will only remain as long as the electrical charge is being
activated. There are no known long-term after effects to exposure.
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Possession and legal implications
This section contains these topics:
• Possession
• Legal implications (use of force)
• Accountability
Possession
The TASER and its associated components (TASER-cam and cartridges) are restricted
weapons, as specified under paragraph 8 of the Arms (Restricted Weapons and Specially
Dangerous Airguns) Order 1984. Police employees have statutory authority to be in
possession of and carry restricted weapons in the course of their duty, by virtue of
section 3 of the Arms Act 1983.
Legal implications (use of force)
The deployment of a TASER is a use of force and as such, must be reasonable,
proportionate, and necessary in the circumstances. The relevant sections of the Crimes
Act 1961 relating to Police use of force are:
• Section 39 (force used in executing process or arrest)
• Section 40 (preventing escape or rescue)
• Section 41 (prevention of suicide in certain cases)
• Section 48 (self defence and defence of another)
• Section 62 (excess of force).
See: Use of force chapter.
Accountability
Police employees are personally and criminally responsible, by virtue of section 62 of the
Crimes Act 1961, for the use of any excess force during the course of their duties. They
may also be subject to internal disciplinary action for any excess use of force.
Caution: Under no circumstances must the device be applied (i.e. contact stun
and/or discharge) to an uncooperative but otherwise non-aggressive person to
induce compliance.
Important principle
An overriding principle guiding the employment of TASER is that it can only be applied in
situations within and beyond the assaultive range, as outlined in the Tactical Options
Framework.
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Employment of TASER
This section contains these topics:
• Tactical Options Framework
• Definitions
- To "prepare"
- To "show"
- To "use"
• General guidelines
• Use against armed subjects
Tactical Options Framework
The TASER is an intermediate option in relation to the Tactical Options Framework. As
such, a TASER is one of a number of tactical options available to you when your
'perceived cumulative assessment' (defined below) of a situation is that the subject’s
behaviour is within or beyond the assaultive range or has the potential to escalate to
within or beyond the assaultive range.
Definitions
In accordance with the Tactical Options Framework, this table defines terms that relate
to TASER.
Term Definition
To "prepare" Means carriage.
To "show"
Means deployment in the form of presentation, laser painting or
arcing.
To "use"
Means deployment in the form of application through discharge or
contact stun.
Important: You must only employ a TASER in accordance with:
• the Tactical Options Framework
• these instructions
• approved training.
General guidelines
When considering the use of a TASER, you must have an honest belief that the subject,
by age, size, behaviour exhibited, apparent physical ability, threats made, or a
combination of these, is capable of carrying out the threat posed (perceived cumulative
assessment). If this is the case, you may
only apply a TASER to:
• defend yourself or others, if you fear physical injury to yourself or others, and you
cannot reasonably protect yourself or others less forcefully (section 48 Crimes Act
1961), or
• arrest an offender if you believe on reasonable grounds that the offender poses a
threat of physical injury and the arrest cannot be effected less forcefully (sections 31,
32 and 39 Crimes Act 1961), or
• resolve an incident where a person is acting in a manner likely to physically injure
themselves and the incident cannot be resolved less forcefully (section 41 Crimes Act
1961), or
• prevent the escape of an offender if you believe on reasonable grounds that the
offender poses a threat of physical injury to any person, and the escape cannot be
prevented less forcefully (section 40 Crimes Act 1961), or
• deter attacking animals.
Use against armed subjects
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Exercise caution when you employ a TASER against a subject armed with a blunt edged
weapon or knife. Ensure you maintain a safe reactionary distance.
Where available, employees deploying with firearms must also take a TASER. Police
firearms remain the most appropriate tactical response for situations where a
subject is
armed with a firearm but circumstances may exist where the use of a TASER may be
appropriate when deployed
with or in support of conventional firearms.
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Restrictions on employing TASER
This section contains these topics:
• Passive resistance
• Demonstrations
• Crowd situations
• Pregnant females
• Flammability
• Elevated positions
• Water
• Vehicles and machinery
• Multiple and/ or extended cycles
• Other restrictions on TASER deployment
• Security and storage of TASER
Under no circumstances must the device be applied (i.e. contact stun and/or
discharge) to an uncooperative but otherwise non-aggressive person to induce
compliance.
Passive resistance
Always employ a TASER in a manner consistent with the Tactical Options Framework and
never against people offering only passive resistance.
Demonstrations
The TASER must
not be carried by constables rostered for duty at demonstrations.
Crowd situations
As a single shot weapon, the TASER is best suited to application against individuals. This
means that in crowd situations, you must consider the potential to inflame the situation
before you employ a TASER.
Pregnant females
Except as a last resort, you must
not use a TASER on females who are known to be, or
believed to be, pregnant.
Flammability
Due to its design, a TASER could provide a source of ignition, and you must
not, other
than in exceptional circumstances, employ it in situations where:
• a subject has, or is believed to have, doused themselves with any accelerant
• the proximity of accelerants or flammable liquids or vapours may present a risk of
ignition (e.g. clandestine labs, petrol stations, airport tarmacs etc)
• it is believed that the subject is in physical possession of explosives.
Elevated positions
Take great care when using a TASER on subjects who are in an elevated position. The
TASER must not be used in circumstances where a subsequent fall may result in a risk of
serious injury or death to the subject.
Water
Take special care when you use a TASER on subjects who are in or near a body of water.
Do
not use the TASER in circumstances or situations where there is a risk of the subject
drowning.
Vehicles and machinery
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Take special care when you use a TASER on subjects who are the occupants of vehicles
or in control of machinery. Do
not use the TASER on a subject in circumstances or
situations where there is a risk of the vehicle or machinery going out of control and
injuring the subject, occupants or other persons.
Multiple and/ or extended cycles
Multiple and/ or extended cycles of the TASER against a subject should be avoided. Each
cycle must be reasonable, proportionate, and necessary in the circumstances. Every
effort must be made, where practicable and safe to do so, to gain control of the subject
whilst they are incapacitated by the initial cycle or cycles of the device. Where a TASER
has been applied to a subject and the initial cycle or cycles of the device fails to
incapacitate the subject, operators must consider their alternative tactical options and
considerations.
Note: A cycle is any activation of a TASER that subsequently creates a firing record.
Other restrictions on TASER deployment
Under no circumstances must the TASER be employed or used in situations where the
sole purpose of the deployment is the gathering of digital video and audio evidence.
No person must be subjected to the effects of TASER for demonstration purposes without
first having obtained the authority of the National Manager: Operations.
Security and storage of TASER
TASER and associated equipment must be stored in firearms and TASER security
cabinets or in a secure area within the confines of Police premises, or other secure
places, as approved by the district TASER coordinator. Additionally, these rules apply to
storage:
• TASER and associated equipment must be stored
separate from ammunition,
pyrotechnics, and flammable substances.
• Except when stored in firearms and TASER security cabinets in patrol vehicles, TASER
must be stored in the
unload state, i.e. without cartridges attached and with the
safety engaged.
• TASER, when handed from one person to another, whether in a locked receptacle or
not, must be in the unload state.
• In order to maintain the system clock, and avoid the potential for data corruption, the
TASER must be regularly charged and stored with the TASER camera inserted at all
times.
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Issue, return and audit of TASER
This section contains these topics:
• Distribution, maintenance, and repair of TASERs
• Manual records of issue, use and return
• Return of damaged, faulty or corrupted TASER
• Pre-issue
• Post-issue
• Audit of operational TASER and TASER registers
Distribution, maintenance, and repair of TASERs
The Police National Armoury is responsible for the distribution, maintenance, and repair
of TASERs.
Manual records of issue, use and return
This table details the requirements for manual recording of the issue, use and return of a
TASER.
Stage Description
1
An individual register, which is identified by the serial number of the TASER
concerned, must be maintained for each TASER.
2
Each time a TASER is issued, the details of date, time, and operator must be
noted in the register, along with serial number of cartridges.
3
Each time a TASER is returned the details of date, time, and operator must be
noted in the register, along with reasons for any deficiencies, if applicable.
4
Each time a TASER is activated by discharge, contact stun, arcing or pre
operational spark testing, details of the type of activation, and duration, along
with the number of activations, must be noted in the register.
Return of damaged, faulty or corrupted TASER
If a TASER is returned damaged, faulty or corrupted, the operator must, before
completing duty, advise their supervisor who must ensure it is taken out of service and
the district TASER coordinator notified.
Pre-issue
Operators must carry out a pre-operational check of a TASER for serviceability before
they sign out a device.
Post-issue
Operators must unload a TASER prior to uploading data, handing to another or securing
for storage post shift.
Audit of operational TASER and TASER registers
This table details the requirements for auditing operational TASER registers.
Stage Description
1
TASER and TASER registers must be audited
monthly. Monthly audits must
confirm the presence of TASER, associated equipment and account for
cartridges on issue by serial number.
2
An audit consists of:
• comparing upload data contained in Evidence.com with the respective log
in the TASER device register
• ensuring that all firing records are accounted for in the device register
• notifying the district TASER coordinator of the result of the audit and in
particular any discrepancies that exist.
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3
The district TASER coordinator must ensure that any discrepancies between
the upload data and the respective register are investigated.
4
If the district TASER coordinator finds that any discrepancies between the
upload data and the register remain unresolved after the investigation, then
the discrepancies must be reported to the district operations manager in the
first instance and then, if still not resolved, to the district
commander/Commander AMCOS.
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Carrying a TASER
This section contains these topics:
• TASERs must be available to certain Police employees
• TASER must be carried when available
• Who can carry a TASER operationally?
• When you carry a TASER
TASERs must be available to certain Police employees
District commanders must make TASERs available and accessible to general duty
response (GDB), highway patrol (HP) and strategic traffic units (STU) employees.
TASER must be carried when available
A TASER must be routinely carried by constables when a TASER is available.
In some situations, wearing of TASER may not be appropriate. Before making a decision
not to carry TASER in a particular situation, the constable must obtain approval from
their supervisor. Only if the analysis supports a manifestly low risk, is the constable not
required to carry TASER.
Who can carry a TASER operationally?
TASER can only routinely be carried by constables who are Level One responders and
hold a current:
• NZ Police First Aid certification
• NZ Police TASER operators or instructors certification
• NZ Police PITT certification.
When you carry a TASER
When you carry a TASER you must ensure that:
• it is carried in an approved holster on the non-master side
• it is in the load state
• reserve cartridges for the TASER are carried in the approved cartridge holder, or
within the approved holster (X26 only).
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Deployment of TASER
This section contains these topics:
• Warnings prior to deployment and discharge
• How to deploy
Warnings prior to deployment and discharge
To encourage de-escalation and to warn others nearby, you must give a verbal warning
in conjunction with the deployment of a TASER. Unless impractical or unsafe to do so
give these verbal warnings.
In conjunction with
shout:
presentation, laser painting, and arcing
"TASER 50 000 VOLTS"!
discharge or contact stun
"TASER, TASER, TASER"!
How to deploy
A TASER may be deployed operationally to affect the required purpose in these ways.
Presentation
Drawing and presenting the device at a subject as a
visual deterrent, in conjunction with a verbal
warning.
Laser painting Overlaying the laser sighting system of the TASER on
a subject as a visual deterrent, in conjunction with a
Show Force
verbal warning.
Note: The laser sight must not intentionally be
aimed at the eyes of the subject.
Arcing
Activating the device as a visual deterrent, in
conjunction with a verbal warning.
Contact stun
Activating the TASER with or without the cartridge
attached while the device is applied to the body of
the subject, in conjunction with a verbal warning.
This method utilises pain compliance.
Caution: The head, face, neck, chest and groin area
should not be deliberately targeted unless the
Use Force
appropriate level of force can be justified.
Subsequent applications of the device should be
avoided. If unavoidable, they must be reasonable,
proportionate, and necessary in the circumstances.
Once the subject is under control or has complied,
the trigger finger should be removed from the
trigger.
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Discharge
Application by firing two probes over a distance from
a cartridge attached to the TASER, or subsequent
applications of electrical current via the probes,
which are in contact with the subject after firing, in
conjunction with a verbal warning.
Important: Both probes must hit the target. This
makes correct aiming and target selection critically
important especially as the probes can spread over
distance.
The large muscle groups within the body should be
the target area when discharging the TASER,
particularly the large muscles in the back, or in the
case of the front where possible with one probe
below the belt line involving the large muscles of the
pelvic triangle (avoiding the groin) or legs.
Caution: The head, face, neck, chest and groin area
should not be deliberately targeted unless the
appropriate level of force can be justified. See target
areas in blue in diagram below.
Use Force
Subsequent applications of the device should be
avoided. If unavoidable, they must be reasonable,
proportionate, and necessary in the circumstances.
Once the subject is under control or has complied,
the trigger finger should be removed from the
trigger.
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Unauthorised and unintentional discharges
This section contains these topics:
• Causes
• Procedure
• District TASER coordinator action
• Unauthorised and unintentional discharges during training
Causes
Unauthorised and unintentional discharges of TASERs may occur through:
• operator error (unauthorised)
• procedural fault (unintentional)
• mechanical failure (unintentional).
Procedure
In the event of an unauthorised or unintentional discharge (other than in training), the
operator involved in the discharge must notify their supervisor as soon as possible. The
supervisor must then follow these steps.
Step Action
1
Preserve and photograph the scene where it is believed this may be necessary
or relevant for subsequent enquiries.
2
Immediately withdraw the TASER from service where there is an indication that
the discharge may have been due to a mechanical fault.
3
Ensure that all evidence, including the subject TASER, discharged cartridges,
wires, probes and sufficient (4-5) cartridge identification tags (CIT), are
recovered from the scene and secured appropriately.
4
Commence an investigation into the incident to determine the facts
surrounding the discharge.
5
Ensure the operator(s) involved submits a tactical options report for
unintentional discharge.
6
Ensure the operator(s) involved uploads the incident into Evidence.Com via
Evidence Sync and categorises the uploaded data including the TOR and event
details where applicable for cross referencing with Evidence.Com.
7
Ensure the operator completes the details of the discharge in the TASER
register.
8
Inform the district TASER coordinator outlining the details of the incident. In
consultation with the DTC determine whether or not the particular TASER
should remain in service.
District TASER coordinator action
Upon receiving a report from a supervisor under step 8 above, the district TASER
coordinator must follow these steps.
Step Action
1
Instigate a review of the facts surrounding the incident.
Note: The scope and scale of the review will depend largely on the nature of
the discharge and whether there was any injury or potential for injury.
2
Advise the district professional standards manager of the incident.
3
Consider whether to temporarily suspend the operator from being issued a
TASER.
4
Consult with the Police National Armoury as to whether or not the particular
TASER and associated evidence is forwarded to the Police National Armoury
for examination and report.
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5
Forward the completed file to the operator's manager along with
recommendations as to the action to be taken.
Where it is established the
Recommended action
discharge was:
unauthorised (the operator was
In addition to considering any criminal
careless or breached procedures) or disciplinary matters, consider
continuing any suspension of the
operator and/ or remedial training that
may be necessary.
unintentional (equipment
Highlight the failing and make
malfunction or procedural failing)
recommendations as to the corrective
action necessary to avoid recurrence
for the information of the National
Manager: Operations at PNHQ.
Unauthorised and unintentional discharges during training
In the event of an unauthorised and unintentional discharge whilst undertaking training,
the individual supervising the training must examine the incident to determine the facts
surrounding the discharge.
Where. . .
the. . .
it is clearly established the discharge was
supervisor may elect to deal with it as a
unauthorised (the operator was careless
remedial training issue.
or breached procedures) and no injury is
involved…
the discharge is unintentional (equipment
procedure relating to unauthorised and
malfunction or procedural failing) and no
unintentional discharges must be
injury is involved…
followed.
the discharge involves injury…
procedure relating to unauthorised and
unintentional discharges must be
followed.
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Operational post-incident procedures
This section contains these topics:
• Notifying supervisor
• Supervisor's action after an operational TASER discharge or contact stun
• Supervisor's action after an operational TASER presentation, laser painting or arcing
• Tactical Options Report
• TASER evidential disclosures
• Privacy Act and Official Information Act requests
• Evidential downloads
• Post-incident information packs
• Death or serious injury
Notifying supervisor
Whenever a TASER is deployed by an operator against another person, the operator
must notify a supervisor as soon as practicable. In the case of employees in rural or
remote locations, notify the nearest on duty supervisor.
Supervisor's action after an operational TASER discharge or contact stun
When notified of an operational discharge or contact stun, the supervisor should follow
these steps.
Step Action
1
Attend the scene as soon as possible and ensure proper aftercare and any
appropriate medical attention has been provided. In remote or rural incidents,
the nearest on duty supervisor must consult with the operator involved as to
whether their attendance is required.
2
Preserve and photograph the scene where it is believed this may be necessary
or relevant for subsequent enquiries.
3
Ensure that all evidence, including discharged cartridges, wires, probes and
sufficient (4-5) cartridge identification tags (CIT) are recovered from the
scene and secured appropriately.
4
Determine whether the use of the TASER was in accordance with these
instructions.
5
Ensure the operator completes the details of all instances of discharge and
contact stun in the TASER register.
6
Ensure the operator, or individuals involved submit a tactical options report.
7
Ensure the operator(s) involved uploads the incident into Evidence.Com via
Evidence Sync and categorises the uploaded data including TOR and event
details where applicable for cross referencing with Evidence.Com.
8
Inform the district TASER coordinator outlining the details of the incident by
means of an internal e mail prior to going off duty.
Supervisor's action after an operational TASER presentation, laser
painting or arcing
When notified of an operational presentation, laser painting or arcing the supervisor
should follow these steps.
Step Action
1
Ensure the operator, or individuals, involved submit a tactical options report.
2
Ensure the operator completes the details of all instances of arcing in the
TASER register.
3
Ensure the operator(s) involved uploads the incident into Evidence.Com via
Evidence Sync and categorises the uploaded data including TOR and event
details where applicable for cross referencing.with Evidence.Com
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4
Determine whether the use of the TASER was in accordance with these
instructions.
5
Inform the district TASER coordinator outlining the details of the incident by
means of an internal email prior to going off duty.
Tactical Options Report
A tactical options report must be completed in all cases where a TASER is shown or
used. The only exceptions to this requirement are:
• where the deployment was in training, or
• in the case of AOS or STG operators deployed at the time in an AOS or STG role
where the deployment was presentation, laser painting or arching (shown).
(See Reporting use of force/tactical options use in the “Use of force” chapter).
TASER evidential disclosures
Disclosure is the responsibility of the officer in charge (OC) of a file. When required for
disclosure, the OC must liase with the district TASER coordinator to obtain the data and
have it correctly formatted onto a DVD.
The Police Prosecution Service may assist in assessing disclosure if their assistance is
sought by the OC, or an application for disclosure under section 30 of the Act is made.
See "Disclosure of video records and transcripts>Disclosure of TASER evidence" in the
Criminal disclosure Police Manual chapter for information about when and how TASER
evidence should be made available.
Privacy Act and Official Information Act requests
If a request for TASER data is made under the Privacy Act 1993 or Official Information
Act 1982, forward the request to National Operations Manager to be actioned.
Evidential downloads
If required, the District TASER Coordinator must follow these steps.
Step Action
1
Arrange for evidence contained on the Evidence.Com database to be written
to disc.
2
Produce, label, seal and secure an evidential copy of the disc as an exhibit by
way of a Police exhibit form (POL 268).
3
Produce and label a disclosure copy of the disc and forward this with the file
copy of the Police exhibit form (POL 268) to the OC.
4
Include a PDF copy of the relevant weapon firing record for the date of the
relevant incident with both the evidential and disclosure copies.
TASER evidential download packs
TASER evidential download packs are available via the SAP system from Corporate
Express.
Post-incident information packs
Post-incident information packs are available via SAP from the Police contracted supplier
and should be accessible to all operators who carry a TASER in the course of their duty.
Death or serious injury
In situations where following the use of a TASER serious injury occurs an investigation
must be commenced.
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In situations where following the use of a TASER death occurs an investigation must be
commenced and must include a forensic pathologist capable of carrying out a post
mortem according to the latest edition of the Complex Cases Section of the Code of
Practice and Performance Standards for Forensic and Coronial Pathologists.
In either case the TASER must be immediately removed from service and secured as
evidence. The investigator must seek advice from the National Manager: Operations
Group on how and when the TASER will be independently forensically tested.
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Aftercare
This section contains these topics:
• After care and monitoring
• First aid
• Medical attention
• Records of medical examination
• Restraint
• Reassurance
• Probe removal
• Custody
• Rights and caution
After care and monitoring
Where a person is exposed to the application of a TASER in the operational environment,
the deploying operator must ensure that the person is provided with the appropriate
level of aftercare and is constantly monitored until examined by a registered medical
doctor.
First aid
Follow normal first aid procedures, as per your training, and take appropriate measures,
including CPR, where applicable. Look for injuries, and assess and deal with them
appropriately.
Caution: Seek immediate medical assistance if the subject’s safety appears to be at risk
at any stage.
Medical attention
A registered medical doctor
must examine anyone who is exposed to the application of
a TASER as soon
as is practicable.
Research suggests that persons most likely to be at greatest risk from any harmful
effects of a TASER, although not attributable to the device itself are:
• drug or alcohol intoxicated subjects
• mental health patients
• subjects with pre existing cardio vascular disease, a pacemaker or implanted medical
device
• subjects who have received multiple TASER exposures
• subjects with low BMI
• obstetric patients
• subjects who have been struggling violently or exhibiting bizarre behaviour (e.g.
excited delirium).
Medical attention
must be provided immediately if:
• the subject does not recover within a reasonable time
• the subject complains of a medical condition
• the subject asks for medical attention
• the operator is informed, or believes, that the subject has a cardiac pacemaker or
other implanted medical device such as a cochlear implant
• in the operator's opinion, the subject appears to be suffering from a medical condition
pre-existing or otherwise (e.g. exhibiting symptoms associated with excited delirium,
or symptoms associated with a mental health issue).
Records of medical examination
Records of the medical examination of subjects exposed to the application of TASER
must be provided by the examining registered medical doctor (Pol 42 Post Taser
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Exposure Medical Examination Form) for the information of the District TASER
Coordinator.
The district TASER coordinator must ensure that all medical reports relating to subjects
exposed to the application of TASER within the district are collated and a copy is
forwarded to Operations Group, PNHQ for review by the Independent Medical Advisory
Group.
Restraint
Where a person is subjected to the application of a TASER, every effort must be made,
where practicable and safe to do so, to gain control of them whilst they are incapacitated
by the initial cycle or cycles of the device. Subjects restrained in the prone position are
at risk of induced positional asphyxia (caused when the position of the body interferes
with normal respiration). It is recommended that the subject be placed lying on their
side or sitting at the earliest possible opportunity.
See: "Positional asphyxia".
Caution: Once the subject is under control they must not be left restrained, or
transported while restrained, in a manner in which the position of the body interferes
with normal respiration (e.g. lying face down with the hands cuffed behind the back).
Reassurance
Recovery from the effects of a TASER application should be almost instantaneous. When
the subject has been restrained after the application of a TASER it is important that you:
• provide verbal reassurance as to the temporary effect of the TASER application
• instruct the subject to breathe normally to aid recovery.
Probe removal
It is recommended that you remove the TASER probes with the subject's consent at the
earliest opportunity. However, if a subject insists that the TASER probes attached to
their body be removed by a medical professional, then:
• leave the probes in place
• take care to minimise discomfort to the subject
• call for a medical professional at the earliest opportunity.
Overseas research indicates that in some situations subjects may instinctively remove
probes of their own accord. You should endeavour to appropriately gain control of the
subject while they are incapacitated to reduce the chance of this occurring.
Probes should only be removed by TASER qualified employees or medical professionals
in accordance with these restrictions and recommendations:
• Ensure that a medical professional removes probes:
- lodged in bone tissue
- located in sensitive areas such as the head, face, neck, groin
- that are difficult to remove
- in the case of female subjects, that have lodged in the breast area.
• If you consider the probes should be removed by a medical professional but a subject
does not want to wait for their arrival, you should do your best to persuade the
subject of the need for a medical professional to remove the probes given their
location, and provide reassurance to calm the subject.
• If the subject is female, only medical professionals or female TASER qualified
employees can remove probes (apart from those clearly stuck only in clothing), and
take necessary evidential photographs of the injuries caused by the probes.
• Prior to removing probes, break or cut the attached cables to avoid trailing wires.
Take care during this process to avoid discomfort to the subject.
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• Wear gloves during probe removal keeping in mind blood borne pathogen concerns.
• Once probes have been removed, they must be inspected to ensure the entire probe
and probe barb have been removed. If a probe or probe barb has broken off (or has
been damaged) the subject must be provided with the appropriate medical attention
to remove the object.
• First aid must be provided to the subject following the removal of a probe in the form
of an antiseptic wipe and an appropriate dressing being applied to the affected site.
• Removed probes must be secured as evidence within the applicable container and
stored in a sealed biohazard bag. These should be disposed of as a biohazard on file
closure.
• You should seek the subject's consent to photograph probe impact sites, and any
other related injuries, for evidential purposes. If the subject refuses to allow
photographs, you should note this in your records of the incident.
Custody
Where a person is detained in custody after the application of a TASER, endorse the
relevant custody record to indicate that the prisoner must be:
• subject to a Health and Safety Management Plan for a Person in Custody (POL705)
• constantly monitored until examined by a registered medical doctor
• monitored according to the registered medical doctor's advice
• issued with an information leaflet describing the TASER, its modes of operation and
effects.
Rights and caution
When the use of a TASER leads to an arrest the arresting constable must ensure that the
'Bill of Rights' and caution are given immediately following the arrest.
The 'Bill of Rights' and caution must then be repeated after the person has sufficiently
recovered from the effects of the TASER application, and when they are capable of
understanding the statement.
Any admission made while under the effects of a TASER application may result in the
court determining such an admission to be unfair and inadmissible.
This is an uncontrolled document printed for reference only.
The controlled document can be found in the Police Instructions site which is accessible via the New Zealand Police Intranet.
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Transportation, dispatch and receipt
This section contains these topics:
• Carriage on aircraft
• Dispatch and receipt
- Using a commercial courier
Carriage on aircraft
TASERs and cartridges may only be carried on aircraft in compliance with this policy.
Carriage for administrative purposes
TASERs and associated cartridges are not permitted in the cabin space. They may only
be carried in the cargo compartment in accordance with these rules:
• unloaded state
• secured within an approved holster that prevents the safety from being disengaged or
with a transit clip fitted
• securely packaged in a robust locked container
• the TASER must be delivered to the airline supervisor at the airport to request that it
be accepted as hold stowed baggage. The airline supervisor should be asked to
arrange for the deliverer to be present when the TASER is loaded into, and later out
of, the aircraft hold.
Carriage for Police emergencies on aircraft being used exclusively by Police
TASERs and associated air cartridges may only be carried in the cabin space when
authorised by the Police operation commander, with the prior authority of the aircraft
operator and only in accordance with these rules:
• unloaded state
• secured within an approved holster.
However, where circumstances of the operation dictate, the Police operation commander
may,
with the authorisation of the aircraft captain, instruct TASER operators of the
AOS or STG who are deployed in circumstances that may require immediate action on
deplaning, to carry the TASER in:
• the loaded state
• secured within an approved holster.
Dispatch and receipt
The dispatch of TASERs to another location for delivery or repair must adhere to these
rules:
• Police employees dispatching any TASER and/or cartridges to another location must
prepare a POL 32 (Receipt and Delivery Voucher) in triplicate.
• Safety precautions must be completed. TASERs must not be dispatched in the load
state.
• TASERs and/or cartridges must
not be sent through any postal service.
• TASERs and/or cartridges must
not be dispatched in the same packaging.
• All TASERs must be accompanied by the applicable TASER register.
• TASERs must be addressed to the officer in charge of the receiving station (not the
Arms Officer or Armourer) who must be advised by email of the time of dispatch and
pending delivery.
• Due to the policy requirement that TASER and associated TASER cameras (power
supply) must remain connected at all times, TASERs must, wherever possible, be
transported by Police employees. Where this is not practical or where urgent delivery
is required, a commercial courier service may be employed.
Using a commercial courier
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Where a commercial courier service is used, these rules apply:
• The original and duplicate POL 32 must accompany the TASER and/ or cartridges.
• On receipt, the receiving agency must endorse the duplicate POL 32 and return it
immediately to the point of origin. The original POL 32 may be filed at the point of
destination.
• TASERs and cartridges must be secured in a robust, locked container and addressed
to the officer in charge of the receiving station or agency (not the arms officer) who
must be advised by email of the time of dispatch and pending delivery.
• Where any TASER or cartridge does not arrive at an intended destination within a
reasonable time after receipt of an email, the dispatching station or agency must be
advised and urgent enquiries made to locate the overdue items.
The triplicate POL 32 must be retained, as an accounting copy, until the endorsed
duplicate POL 32 is returned by the station or agency receiving the TASER and/ or air
cartridges. The triplicate may then be destroyed.
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The controlled document can be found in the Police Instructions site which is accessible via the New Zealand Police Intranet.
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Training
National Manager: Training responsibility
The National Manager: Training is responsible for:
• development and delivery of training, certification and re-certification of TASER
instructors and operators
• establishing procedures for the monthly audits of training TASER to confirm the
presence of allocated training TASER and associated equipment along with the
numbers and types of cartridges held
• ensuring that training TASERs are uploaded periodically within the training agency of
Evidence Sync and Evidence.com and that registers are updated accordingly
• ensuring that potential evidence of training injuries, incidents and failures are
uploaded as appropriate within the training agency of Evidence Sync and
Evidence.com.
This is an uncontrolled document printed for reference only.
The controlled document can be found in the Police Instructions site which is accessible via the New Zealand Police Intranet.
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