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Helena West Helena adopts police TASER policy; officers certified but devices remain restricted pending training
Summary
Council adopted a written TASER policy after the police chief presented a department policy; officers completed training but use is limited to certified personnel and subject to reporting and medical follow-up requirements.
The Helena West Helena City Council on July 15 adopted a written TASER (electronic restraint device) policy that defines training, deployment limits, medical follow-up and reporting requirements for police officers.
"The TASER shall be deployed only when it re necessary to control a dangerous or violent subject," the policy states. It emphasizes that the device is an additional use-of-force option, not a substitute for verbal de-escalation or firearms.
The policy requires certification through manufacturer-approved training, annual recertification, daily spark tests of devices, secure storage, supervisor notification after deployments and medical assessment when probes are used. It also lists prohibited uses, including deployment where incapacitation could cause serious injury (for example near flammable materials or on moving vehicles except to prevent deadly harm), and special cautions for pregnant persons, elderly or medically fragile subjects.
Councilmember Maxine Miller moved to adopt the policy; Councilmember Davis seconded. The motion passed on a 6-0 roll call and the council adopted the policy.
The council and the police chief said officers already took initial training but the policy must be in place before devices are placed into service. The chief told the council the department has purchased the TASER units with grant funds and needs the policy in place to allow trained officers to carry and deploy them under the written requirements.
