Madison Police Chief Noble Wray announced Thursday at a press conference that the Madison Police Department released a report detailing the history of its Taser usage over the past two years following the injury of a 14-year-old Madison Memorial High School student on Jan. 21.
The Madison Police Department began using Tasers in the summer of 2003 as an alternative to deadly force.
The sentiment about Taser use in Madison was that the less-lethal weapon might reduce unnecessary injury to citizens and officers.
A Taser works by causing electromuscular disruption, overriding the electrical impulses of the brain, rendering the body incapacitated when contact is made.
Tasers function from a distance of up to 21 feet, allowing officers to control suspects from a safe range.
Another practical function of the Taser is its internal data capabilities.
Each time a Taser is deployed, the date and time of deployment are internally recorded and downloaded to a computer, making a Taser user accountable for his or her actions.
According to the report, of the 92 Taser deployments, 77 percent were successful.
The report concludes Tasers function well as non-deadly force and more officers should be trained to use them.
-Laura Kalinowski
