1. The document provides guidelines for when an officer can appropriately deploy a Taser, such as when a subject is resisting arrest or poses an immediate threat. 2. It describes preferred target areas for deployment as well as considerations for deployment distance. Back shots and targeting the lower torso from 7-15 feet are generally preferred. 3. The document advises that during a 5-second Taser cycle, officers can make physical contact with a subject to control and handcuff them without being affected by the Taser. It stresses minimizing repeated or prolonged Taser applications when possible.

1. Taser Refresher
PLANT CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING

2. Plant City PD S.O.P:
16-3.4:
The decision of the officer to utilize the TASER for apprehension is based on the classification of the
offense AND the threat level posed by the suspect to the officer or civilians. Examples of appropriate
deployment of the TASER include, but are not limited to:
1. When there is probable cause to believe that a crime has occurred or is about to occur and the
subject is actively attempting to physically resist the officer.
2. When the use of the TASER would assist in reducing the risk of injury to a suspect, bystander or
police officers. The TASER may not be used for the simple act of fleeing, bracing, or pulling away from
an officer unless the officer reasonably perceives an immediate threat to the safety of himself/herself
or others and is able to articulate what led to such belief.
3. As a less than lethal alternative to deadly force, when deadly force could be used, if the situation
dictates.
4. An armed subject, acting in an apparent irrational manner, and/or threatening suicide.
5. In situations where a supervisor deems the use of less lethal munitions necessary to safely resolve an
incident.
6. The TASER may be utilized to defend an officer or civilian against attack from a dangerous animal.

3. Plant City PD S.O.P:
E. The TASER shall not be used in the following manner:
1. In a punitive manner.
2. On a passive or compliant subject whose behavior is non-threatening to themselves or
others.
3. On restrained subjects unless other techniques to gain control are not effective and a
substantial physical struggle is likely to result in injury to the subject, officers, or others.
4. When the presence of flammable fumes, liquids, or gases are known or likely.
5. On women known to be pregnant unless all other means available, short of deadly force,
have been or would be ineffective.
6. On known minors or the elderly unless their actions present the immediate threat of
death or great bodily harm, or substantial physical struggle is likely to result in an injury to
the subject, officer, or others.
7. On a subject who is simply fleeing, bracing, or pulling away from an officer in an attempt
to avoid capture unless the officer reasonably perceives an immediate threat to the safety
of himself/herself or others and is able to articulate what led to such belief.

4. TARGETING
• Avoid intentionally targeting the CEW on
sensitive areas of the body such as the head,
throat, breast, chest or area of the heart,
genitals, or known pre-existing injury areas
without legal justification.
• The preferred target areas are below the neck
area for back shots and the lower center mass
(below chest or heart area) for front shots
- Avoid sensitive areas

5. Preferred Target Zone Rear
(when possible)
Below neck (blue zone)
–Large muscles
–Avoid head
The back is always the preferred target area
when reasonably practicable under the totality of
circumstances of the incident.

6. Preferred Target Zone Front
(when possible)
Lower torso (blue zone below chest)
• More effective
• Split the belt line
• Larger muscles
• Reduces risk of hitting sensitive body areas
• Do not intentionally target genitals

7. Probe Placement
• Deploy per department SOP
• Greater probe spread generally increases effectiveness
- "Incapacitation by all measures was found to be a function
of spread; generally increasing in effectiveness up to spreads
between 9 and 12 in. There were notable differences
between front and back exposures, with front exposures not
leading to full incapacitation of the upper extremities
regardless of probe spread.“
- If practical, minimum four-inch spread to have some effect
- Narrow probe spreads typically are more effective if one
probe is above the belt and the other probe is below the
belt

8. Probe Placement
• If practicable, deploy probes at suspect’s back:
- Clothing fits tighter
- Surprise factor
- Stronger muscles – usually even more
overwhelming
• Aim at preferred target zones
• Avoid sensitive areas of the body

9. Deployment Distance Considerations
Deployments from 0-7 feet (0-2 meters):
• Higher hit probability
• Limited probe spread = low amount of
muscle mass affected
• Short reactionary distance

10. Deployment Distance Considerations
Deployments from 0-7 feet (0-2 meters):
• Consider targeting the waist area to “split
the belt line”:
• Affect core muscles needed for balance
• Avoid probes near the heart or in chest:
• Low probability of NMI
• Increases dart-to-heart safety distance

11. Deployment Distance Considerations
Deployments from 7-15 feet (2-4.5 meters):
• Higher hit probability
• Good probe spread = good amount of muscle
affected
• Slack in wires (with 21 or 25 foot cartridges
• Good reactionary distance

12. Deployment Distance Considerations
Deployments from 15 – 25 feet (4.5 – 7.6 m):
• May be out of range of 15/21’cartridges
• Fair hit probability with both probes
• Large probe spread = large amount of muscle
affected
• Less slack in wires
• Larger reactionary distance

13. Controlling/Cuffing Under Power
You can go hands on with the subject during the
5-second cycle without feeling the effects of the
NMI
• Electricity generally follows the path of least
resistance
• Do not place hands on or between probes

14. Controlling/Cuffing Under Power
• Use each 5-second CEW cycle as a “window of
opportunity” to establish control/cuff while
the subject is affected
• Move in, control, and handcuff subject while
the CEW is cycling during the 5-second
“window of opportunity”

15. Controlling/Cuffing Under Power
• Be aware that emotionally disturbed persons
(EDPs), focused, intoxicated, deaf, and excited
delirium individuals may not comply with verbal
commands
• The need for multiple 5-second cycles, or
extended or prolonged CEW exposures, may be
avoided or reduced by “controlling/cuffing under
power” during the “window of opportunity” the
5-second CEW cycle provides

16. Avoid Extended, Repeated, or Prolonged TASER CEW
Applications Where Practicable
• Each trigger pull and/or 5-second cycle or discharge
must be legally justified
• Avoid extended, repeated, or prolonged CEW
applications where practical
• The application of the CEW is a physically stressful
event
• Attempt to minimize the physical and psychological
stress to the subject

17. Drive-Stun Backup
Do not hold on to a live cartridge while applying a
drive stun (M26/X26/X26P)
• If cartridge gets within approximately 2 inches of the
CEW, it may deploy

18. • For maximum effectiveness, drive the
CEW into certain pressure points
• Use care when applying the
drive stun to the neck or groin
• Stay away from the trachea, the back
of the neck and the genetals
Drive-Stun Mode

19. Conclusion