Rules of Engagement

Officers follow a strict use of force conduct for deploying less lethal weapons. A situation where a suspect is demonstrating combative or assault like behavior would be ideal for the use of a less lethal weapon. Officers assess their own situation based on their training and their better judgment, before making the decision to deploy a less lethal weapon. The environment and near by citizens are also contributing factors of deploying less lethal weapons. Officers use a utilitarian approach of right and wrong and weigh their actions depending on what they believe will bring about the best possible outcome. An outcome of a less combative suspect. Their decision to deploy the less lethal weapon must be weighed carefully, for officers are required to report every time a taser is used and are scrutinized if their one third of a second decision is not the correct one.



CBC News : Taser Faq's