Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Police Department

Department Information - Frequently Asked Questions

Taser

Q: What is the TASER?

A: The TASER used by the Vancouver Police Department is a patented device that looks similar to an officer’s firearm.  It is a laser sighted unit that has a cartridge attached to the front of it.  The cartridge projects a pair of darts, attached to steel wires.  The TASER sends 50kv of electricity over the thin steel wires, affecting the suspect’s motor and sensory nervous systems.  Without the cartridge attached to the front of the unit, the TASER can be used as a stun device.  In either mode, the TASER delivers its electrical charge in a pre-set, five second cycle.  Once the cycle ends or is broken, the effects on the subject disappear.

Q: What is the purpose of the TASER?

A: The TASER is intended to provide officers with a less lethal force option to help them overcome a suspect’s combative intent, physical resistance and/or assaultive behavior, to subdue persons who are intending to harm themselves or others, and to provide self-defense. As with all applications of force, officers using the TASER are expected to use necessary and reasonable force to effect a lawful purpose, as defined by State Statute and Federal Case Law.  The TASER is not meant to take the place of any other police tool.  Its purpose is to provide officers with options when dealing with suspects who are not compliant and present a threat to themselves, the public, or law enforcement personnel.

Q: When did the Vancouver Police Department first implement the TASERS?

A: The TASERs were first implemented into the Vancouver Police Department in 2003.  Three TASERs were deployed as a pilot program.  The number of TASERS deployed has increased and currently TASERS are utilized by officers in both West and East Precinct, the Traffic Unit, and officers working in several specialty units including SWAT, the Domestic Violence Unit, Major Crimes Team, Neighborhood Response Team (NRT), and the Career Criminal Apprehension Team (C-CAT).

Q: What kind of TASER training do the Vancouver Police officers receive?

A: The Vancouver Police Department has a TASER Master Instructor and 9 TASER Instructors.  Each one of the instructors has felt the effects of the TASER as part of their training.  Initial training for officers to be certified in the use of the TASER is 4 hours. In 2005, 89 officer were trained on use of the Taser. Although it is not mandatory for the officers to be “tazed” as part of their training, 95% of the officers trained,  have personally felt the effects of the TASER.  There is also 4 hours of annual training to be re-certified in the use of the TASER.

• In 2005 the Vancouver Police Department documented 29 displays of a Taser and 50 uses of a Taser by officers.
• Injuries to suspects are low with TASER deployments, with the primary injury being marks left where the TASER made contact.  Abrasions and contusions have also occurred due to the suspects falling to the ground.
• There have been no reported injuries to the officers as a result of the suspects’ resistance when the TASER was used.