UCLA's Taser Manual for Campus Police: pdf here
Note the words: "Less lethal device" further in the document. The company who makes Tasers labels their weapon as "non lethal" .
Use of Force
301.24 PAIN COMPLIANCE TECHNIQUES
Pain compliance techniques may be very effective in controlling a passive or actively resisting individual. Officers may only apply those pain compliance techniques for which the officer has received Departmentally approved training and only when the officer reasonably believes that the use of such a technique appears necessary to further a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Officers utilizing any pain compliance technique should consider the totality of the circumstance including, but not limited to:
(a) The potential for injury to the officer(s) or others if the technique is not used,
(b) The potential risk of serious injury to the individual being controlled,
(c) The degree to which the pain compliance technique may be controlled in
application according to the level of resistance,
(d) The nature of the offense involved,
(e) The level of resistance of the individual(s) involved,
(f) The need for prompt resolution of the situation,
(g) If time permits (e.g. passive demonstrators), other reasonable alternatives.
The application of any pain compliance technique shall be discontinued once the officer determines that full compliance has been achieved.
Use of Force
GENERAL ORDER
05-01
(Amended 09-27-05)
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the deployment and use of the Taser.
POLICY
To deploy and use the Taser to maximize the safety of all individuals involved in an incident.
PROCEDURE
1) DEFINITION
The Taser is a less lethal device used to incapacitate subjects by discharging an electronic current into the subject via two wired probes. The Taser may also be used in a drive-stun capacity with a fired cartridge in the device or when the Taser is not loaded with a cartridge.
2) TRAINING.
Personnel who have successfully completed a Departmentally approved training course shall be authorized to use the Taser. Officers shall qualify regularly as dictated by Training Staff.
3) EQUIPMENT
Officers assigned a Taser are responsible for maintaining the device's operational readiness. As such, officers shall:
A) Store the Taser and extra cartridges in the issued holster or case when not in use.
S) Ensure that the Taser is accessible by keeping it concealed in a secured vehicle during the course of a shift or carrying the device on the officer's person. Taser holsters shall be worn only on the opposite side of the officer's handgun.
i) Officers issued a Taser shall keep at least two extra cartridges with the device.
ii) Extra cartridges should not be carried in pockets due to the risk that static electricity could cause an unintentional discharge of the cartridge.
C) Check the Taser's battery strength to ensure adequate battery charge.
i) Officers shall remove the cartridge, keeping the safety on, prior to checking battery strength or changing the batteries in the unit.
ii) Officers shall test battery strength by sparking an unloaded Taser before going in service. In the event that the unit's battery strength is not adequate (20% or less), officers shall exchange the unit for another with adequate battery strength. Spark tests should be conducted in a safe direction with no apparent targets down range.
D) Check the expiration date and condition of the Taser cartridges. Expired and/or damaged cartridges shall be turned into the range staff or a supervisor for replacement.
4) GENERAL
Although not absolutely prohibited, officers should give additional consideration to the unique circumstances involved prior to applying the Taser to any of the following individuals: .
A) Pregnant females;
B) Elderly individuals or obvious juveniles;
C) Individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained;
D) Individuals who have been recently sprayed with alcohol based Pepper Spray or who are otherwise in close proximity to any combustible material;
E) Individuals whose position or activity may result in collateral injury (e.g. falls from significant heights, operating vehicles, etc.)
5) CRITERIA FOR USE - CARTRIDGE DEPLOYMENT
Authorized personnel may use a Taser when circumstances known and perceived to the individual officer at the time indicate that the application of the Taser is reasonable to subdue or control:
A) A violent or physically resisting subject, or
B) A potentially violent or potentially physically resistive subject who has verbally or physically demonstrated an intention to resist, or
C) A dangerous animal.
6) CRITERIA FOR USE - DRIVE STUN
Authorized personnel may use a Taser in a drive stun capacity, as a pain compliance technique, in the following situations.
A) To eliminate physical resistance from an arrestee in accomplishing an arrest or physical search.
B) When a skirmish line is deployed and/or for pain compliance against passive resistors as allowed in UCLA Police Policy § 301.24 (Pain Compliance Techniques).
C) To stop a dangerous animal.
7) FIELD DEPLOYMENT TACTICS
A) When an officer determines that the Taser should be utilized, the officer deploying the Taser should, if possible, consider assembling a sufficient number of officers to assist with taking the suspect into custody. The number of additional officers and their responsibilities is dictated by the dynamics of each incident.
B) If there is sufficient time to plan a deployment and sufficient resources available, consideration should be given to designating responsibilities as follows:
i) One officer to fire the Taser.
ii) One additional officer armed with a second Taser. If a second officer is not available, or it is not practical to have an officer act in this capacity, the primary officer deploying the Taser should be prepared to fire a second cartridge in the event that the initial cartridge misses the target or fails to function properly.
iii) Protection officer( s) prepared to deliver appropriate force cover option(s).
iv) Custody officer( s) who are given the responsibility to handcuff and restrain the suspect.
NOTE: Under exigent circumstances, nothing in this policy prohibits an officer from deploying and firing a Taser without requesting or having the presence of additional officers.
C) When practical, prior to firing the Taser, the officer discharging the Taser should:
i) Announce that the Taser is being deployed and provide the suspect with a reasonable opportunity to voluntarily comply. This may prevent unintentional shootings and give warning to the suspect.
ii) If, after a verbal warning, an individual continues to express an unwillingness to voluntarily comply with an officer's lawful orders and it appears both reasonable and practical under the circumstances, an officer may, but is not required to, display the electrical arc (provided there is not a cartridge loaded into the Taser) or laser in a further attempt to gain compliance prior to the application of the Taser. The laser should not be intentionally directed into the eyes of another as it may permanently impair their vision.
iii) If practical, instruct Communications to broadcast a Taser is going to be deployed.
8) POST DEPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
A) Any use, or attempted use of a Taser against a subject shall be immediately reported to the Watch Commander. Officers and/or supervisors who have discharged a Taser on a suspect shall: i) Restrain and secure the subject, as soon as possible.
ii) Officers should remove the probes as trained and inspect the probes to ensure the entire probe has been removed. Removal of broken probes should be done by medical personnel.
iii) Ensure the suspect's injuries or complaints of injury (if any) are appropriately treated by medical personnel. Monitor the suspect for signs of "excited delirium."
iv) Medical treatment and clearance to book shall be sought for any suspect that has received a Taser cartridge discharge and:
(1) The suspect exhibits signs of excited delirium.
(2) The suspect has a pre-existing heart condition or pre-existing respiratory condition.
(3) The suspect is obviously intoxicated or obviously under the influence of drugs.
(4) The suspect has received a total of two or more effective and complete Taser cycles.
v) Comply with the reporting procedures/supervisor's responsibilities specified in the UCLA Police Policy § 301 .3 (Reporting Use of Force).
vi) Ensure any discharged cartridges, probes and a sampling of AFID (Anti-Felon Identification) microdots that are discharged with the probes are collected and booked as evidence.
vii) Ensure probes are handled and booked as bio-hazardous "sharps".
viii)Ensure the serial number of the Taser and cartridge(s) used are included in the appropriate report( s).
ix) Ensure photographs are taken of probe impact sites and any other injuries.
B) Any discharge of a Taser off-duty shall be immediately reported to the Watch Commander. The circumstances surrounding the discharge of a Taser shall be documented in a Miscellaneous Incident Report
