DIVISION OF POLICE
Intra-Divisional
July 5, 2005

TO:

James G. Jackson, Chief of Police

FROM:

Sergeant Brian A. Bruce #5303, Defensive Tactics Unit

SUBJECT:

Six Month Taser Study Executive Summary

Sir:
The following information is the executive summary of taser use and related taser
statistics for the first six-month period of taser deployment for the Division of Police.
This information is a summary of taser uses. Explanations of each statistic are explained
in the attached Six Month Taser Report.
•

There were 172 Action-Response Reports reported as Level 3, Use of Electrical
Device.
o 140 Tasers deployed in the probe mode.
ƒ 76.4% effective based upon deployment
o 120 incidents where the probes hit the subject
ƒ 89.2% effective rate when the subject was struck with both probes
o 132 tasers deployed in the Drive Stun Mode.
ƒ 75.8% effective

•

55.6% of the taser use was on subjects under the influence of drugs/alcohol or on
subjects classified as being Emotionally Disturbed Persons (EDPs).

•
•

Citizen complaints declined 23.8%.
Citizen complaints of excessive uses of force declined 25.3%.

•

Injuries to officers from physical confrontations with aggressive/resistive subjects
declined 23.4%.

•

Injuries to prisoners declined 24.1%.

•

Use of Level 2 Control (Use of Chemical Mace) declined 36.8%.

•

Use of Level 4 Control (Strikes, Punches, Kicks) declined 32.2%.

•

Use of Level 5 Control (Use of Impact Weapon) declined 20.7%.

•

There were twelve documented incidents where subjects attempting suicide were
stopped and taken into custody preventing the deaths.

•

There were fourteen incidents officers responded to where deadly force was
justified, but officers were able to use time, distance, and barriers to deploy the
taser as the response verse using deadly force to control the subjects.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sergeant Brian A. Bruce #5303
Defensive Tactics Unit