Title
Taser 10 Training Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on the Police Department’s Taser 10 training.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
This report serves as an overview of the Taser 10 training program as well as an update on training efforts.
Taser 10 Features
The Taser 10 is the newest Taser model from Axon and will replace the Police Department's existing Taser 7 models, which have reached end of life. Taser 10 has a range of over 40 feet, (Taser 7 has a range of 21 feet), giving officers more time to create distance and utilize cover during potentially dangerous situations. Distance and cover typically allow more time for officers to communicate with subjects and lower the potential for more force than necessary, reasonable and proportionate being used. This benefits both the subject and officer.
A new feature with Taser 10 is when the device is powered on, it sounds an audible deterrent. This feature has been shown to be effective in reducing the amount of deployments and lowering the level of force used, as subjects often complied upon hearing the noise.
Aside from pepper spray, the Taser is the only less-lethal device carried by every officer, sergeant and lieutenant in enforcement positions.
Training Program
Officers receive 10 hours of training with Taser 10 before it is issued to them. The training consists of:
- Classroom Lecture: Department policy (new use of force policy refresher), de-escalation tactics, decision-making models and nomenclature of Taser 10.
- Virtual Reality Scenarios: Scenarios test proficiency with the tool in performance under stress, decision-making abilities, and ability to communicate and de-escalate.
- Practical Exercises: Students become more comfortable with the device and using it at different distances.
- Scenario-Based Training: Students demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of when and how to use Taser 10.
Training Schedule/Update
In addition to the 27 officers in the original pilot program and the 19 recruits of Class 577, the Training Bureau has trained over 200 officers on Taser 10. Multiple classes are offered each week with 30 students in each class. Students are quickly filling the classes, as they are eager to upgrade their devices with the new features detailed earlier in this report.
Reporting
The Training Bureau and Strategic Information Bureau are working to implement an informational dashboard for Taser 10. The system, named “Trend,” was included in the Police Department's Axon contract and will capture data points for future reporting.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.