ABSTRACT
I’m an unabashed fan of the TASER. It’s more accurate to use the term electronic control device (ECD),1 but since I’m familiar with the TASER, and since most officers call all ECDs a TASER (much like we tend to refer to facial tissues as Kleenex), I’ll refer to an ECD as a TASER in this chapter. I like the TASER because I’m for anything that allows officers to safely control an aggressive resister while maintaining distance. Although I also like batons and pepper spray, I think the TASER has some distinct advantages. First, it can be deployed from a greater distance. Second, it’s more effective in that it is more likely to stop all resistive action immediately. Third, it doesn’t require a high degree of skill to use effectively. Fourth, the subject suffers no after effects. What have been the results of the increasingly widespread use of TASER? The results have been reduced officer injuries and reduced subject injuries. This also means there are fewer workers’ compensation claims and reduced liability for the department.
