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6.1.D. -Page 5 s \" TASERS Standardizing to Save Lives and Reduce Injuries Issue Have the law enforcement agencies in San Mateo County adopted a standardized TASER policy and, if so, is it effective? Summary This investigation focused on 20 uniformed police agencies of all cities /towns and the Sheriff's Department in San Mateo County, the California Highway Patrol, and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Police. It was found that only two cities, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, currently do not employ TASER devices. Standardizing TASER device use policies and training would provide law enforcement agencies with a unified understanding of appropriate response to event. within and across jurisdictions in the County. Of those agencies using TASER devices, the use of force policies and training requirements are sufficiently similar to consider them standardized, with the exception of the Sheriff's Use of Force policy. The 2011 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff either adopt a Use of Force policy that is consistent with the other agencies in the County or reinstate the Sheriff's prior Use of Force policy dated April 10, 2008. It also recommended that uniformed officers across the County who are required to have a firearm while on duty carry this less- than - deadly force tool whenever they carry a firearm. It is further recommended that all agencies track the use of the TASER device to obtain control of subjects, even when the subject is not actually "tased." Background The TASER, a branded electronic control device (ECD), is a device manufactured by TASER International, Inc. that employs a high voltage, low amperage shock that is momentarily painful to the subject in a manner that causes the subject to lose muscle control and, if standing, fall to the ground. It works by the use of compressed gas to propel two barbs, attached by very thin wires, toward the subject. Once the barbs attach to skin or clothing, the shock is applied. It has an effective range of approximately 6 to 25 feet, thus allowing the officer to avoid immediate physical contact with the subject. The TASER device can also be used as a "stun gun" in what is called "drive stun" mode.' The TASER device is used by police officers to bring a subject under control, offering a less lethal option than a firearm. ' A TASER device can directly deliver an electrical shock from the device itself without the use of wires or barbs, but such requires physical contact with the subject. It does not incapacitate the subject, but uses momentary pain as the method of obtaining control. A "drive stun" is police terminology for approaching a subject to apply a TASER in the drive stun mode. The cartridge that is on the TASER device must be removed to use it in this way. This