A person is squirming around on the ground and is not a threat. Can you punish them with a taser?

A person is squirming around on the ground and is not a threat. Can you punish them with a taser?

• A. Yes
• B. Not unless there is a threat
• C. Only with supervisor approval
• D. No

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that force must be proportional to the threat. A taser is a tool for stopping imminent, dangerous resistance that could harm you or others. If someone is on the ground, squirming, and not posing a threat to anyone, applying a taser would be excessive, risky, and likely a policy or legal violation. The appropriate approach is to de-escalate, use verbal commands, and employ non-force control techniques to gain compliance and keep everyone safe, while monitoring the person and seeking any needed medical or supervisory assistance. In short, you don’t use a taser to punish non-threatening behavior.

The main idea here is that force must be proportional to the threat. A taser is a tool for stopping imminent, dangerous resistance that could harm you or others. If someone is on the ground, squirming, and not posing a threat to anyone, applying a taser would be excessive, risky, and likely a policy or legal violation. The appropriate approach is to de-escalate, use verbal commands, and employ non-force control techniques to gain compliance and keep everyone safe, while monitoring the person and seeking any needed medical or supervisory assistance. In short, you don’t use a taser to punish non-threatening behavior.