Item B: Eugene Police Department Taser Policy

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(b) All Tasers will be clearly and distinctly marked to differentiate them from the duty weapon and any other device. (c) Whenever practical, officers should carry at least two Taser cartridges on his/her person at all times while carrying a Taser. (d) Each officer is responsible for insuring that his/her issued Taser is properly maintained and in good working order at all times. If the Taser does not appear to be functioning properly, remove it from service and submit it for examination/repair. Each Taser will be checked biannually for proper functioning by a department-designated Taser armorer. (e) An officer should never hold both a firearm and the Taser at the same time unless lethal force is justified. 309.3 VERBAL AND VISUAL WARNINGS (a) Unless it would otherwise endanger the safety of an officer or another person or is impractical due to circumstances, an explicit verbal announcement of the intended use of the Taser will precede the discharge of a Taser in order to: (1) Provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to voluntarily comply. (2) Provide other officers and individuals with warning that a Taser may be discharged. If, after a verbal warning, an individual continues to express by word or conduct an unwillingness to voluntarily comply with an officer's lawful orders and it appears both reasonable and practical under the circumstances, the officer may, but is not required to, display the electrical arc (provided there is not a cartridge loaded into the Taser) or the aiming laser in a further attempt to gain compliance prior to discharging the Taser. The laser should never be intentionally directed into the eyes of another as it may permanently impair his/her vision. (b) The fact that a verbal and/or other warning was given, or reasons it was not given prior to discharging the Taser, will be documented in any related reports. 309.4 USE OF THE TASER As with any law enforcement equipment, the Taser has limitations and restrictions requiring consideration before its use. The Taser should only be used when its operator can safely approach the subject within the operational range of the Taser. Although the Taser may be generally effective in subduing most individuals, officers should be prepared with other options in the event it is not effective. Because the discharge of the Taser in the "drive stun" mode affects a smaller area of the body and requires close proximity to the subject, additional caution should be exercised and the controlling effects may be limited. Application of the Taser in the drive stun mode is effective as a method to complete the circuit when one of the probes fails to connect with the subject. 309.4.1 AUTHORIZED USE OF THE TASER (a) Officers should consider the severity of the offense, the degree of threat the person poses to himself/herself or others, the person’s history of violent behavior, what other options (including de- Police Commission Recommendations – Taser Guidelines, Redlined Draft April 8, 2010 Page 2