Posted: 9/16/2006 4:44:40 AM EDT
Need some input. I got 10 tasers in the mail yesterday. Not enough for all uniform officers just yet, about half. I'm not getting one, but I'm going to get the training (going to be fist one in my PD to "ride the lightening" also I write the policy here (must be approved by the Chief of course), so here it is: Min on belt right now is: Double mag pouch Glock OC ASP radio handcuffs If you have a taser, did you ditch something? Some of these guys will have a hard time adding something else. Im of the mind set more is better, but then again, I don't weigh anything close to 100 Lbs.  Art in KY |
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I've been one of our TASER instructors for about 5 years. I personally would look at your policy and see where on the force continuum the TASER falls. Ours is at basically the same level as OC. This led me to remove my OC and replace it with the TASER. I keep it available in my patrol bag for those certain situations (dogs, crowds, ect). This seems to have worked for me in the past. |
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Sorry to hijack, but I'm curious as to the answers myself. Also, I'd like to see my dept. add tasers at some point in time, but I am way too low on the totem pole to make suggestions yet. So for now, I will build research info and approach the appropriate person when the time is right. For us, money will be a concern, so I was going to consider getting 4-5 tasers, enough for an officer to check one out when he comes on shift, just like our AED's and jump kits. What were the selling points or any good studies/cases/information y'all used to "sell" the taser to your dept.? |
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How can you NOT have room on your belt??? I have a smaller waist-34. I can squeeze in the taser. I just hate the stupid thing because of its bulkiness and the requirement for us to carry the issued holster. I have seen OC work on more people than the Taser. Not so sure ditching a tool that has a good record for a tool that doesn't always work. Leg holster is nice also...... when the taser first came out, we just kept it in the car. We never had enough for everyone, so we would check one out at the beginning of shift. The holsters really suck if you continuously pop them on and off, so breaking was an issue. When we went on calls, we usually popped it on, or put the Taser in the pocket. Not real secure, but we had no real experience with the unit yet. |
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I would recommend carrying the taser in cross draw configuration. You don't want to blast someone with the glock instead. The taser fits on the same level of force as the OC. Some of our officers dump the OC to fit the taser on the belt. I'm able to get all of the tools on my belt with a 32 inch belt. Best of luck to you. Take the probes (shot) and not the clip on probes when your "ride the light" Less painfull. |
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I have a 34 inch waist. I ditched nothing, but it is a tight fit. Mine goes as follows starting at the belt buckle and moving clockwise. Surefire NF2 Pistol OC cuffs latex glove pouch cuffs ultrastinger light loop (like a keeper with a ring on it) radio taser (cross draw) Asp (cross draw) magazine pouch. It can be done! |
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I made room by going from two single cuff cases to a double, and moving the camera transmitter to the shirt pocket. I have a 36" waist, and this still leaves me clear space in back for sitting in the car. BTW: those cheapie nylon Uncle Mike's single speed loader cases fit the extra cartridges perfectly. 
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1 department in my area allows officers that carry tasers to drop the OC and baton. My department adds taser, but doesn't allow any equipment to be dropped. It's tough, OC, Baton, and Taser are 3 different tools, there are times when one of those would be better suited than the others. |
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Get the drop leg holster for it if the duty belt is too crowded. Tactical Tailor has a great one for about 35 bucks shipped. Also has a place to hold two spare cartridges. They are out of Tacoma WA. They have a working arrangement with Taser that precludes them from selling taser holsters directly to LEOs. But, if you say up front I just want the drop leg assembly, not the holster, and be very direct about this, they can and will sell it to you. Their staff is trained to say no until you specify, "not the holster, just the drop leg assembly." |
First, call Taser Int.. They have staff that can help you with all your questions. They have about 3 Ex Seattle P.D. folks on their payroll who can help greatly. Secondly, I look askance at any sharing of this equipment. Ownership of equipment = care and proper upkeep of it. Shared equipment ends up having nobody responisible for it and then you end up with it getting trashed. Plus in the case of the Taser, each cartridge has serial numbers on the paper chips that are ejected. This allow tracking of who fired the taser. If the Taser is shared then you can't track the usage as easily. Liability comes into play. Call Taser. |