Denver PD’s proposed taser policy change, loosening restrictions, has some watchdogs on edge

The Denver Police Department is considering a significant shift in when officers can deploy a Taser — and not everyone is on board with it. Under the proposed change, officers could use a Taser on someone who is resisting control or trying to flee, even if they aren’t posing an active physical threat. That’s a step down from the current standard, which requires what’s called “active aggression” — meaning a person must be threatening or attempting to harm an officer or someone else before a Taser can be used.

Denver’s Office of the Independent Monitor, the department’s watchdog, isn’t exactly thrilled about it. The OIM released a report calling the change “surprising and concerning,” warning it could put more community members at risk of unnecessary Taser deployments and potentially expose the city to civil liability. For some added context, the original “active aggression” standard was the result of nearly a year’s worth of community and stakeholder input back in 2017 — so critics say bypassing that kind of public process is a big deal. DPD, for its part, argues that deploying a Taser earlier in a confrontation could actually prevent situations from escalating into something more dangerous.

Here’s where it gets a little wild: DPD actually quietly implemented the broader policy for about 10 days back in April before reversing course after the OIM went public with its concerns — with police later saying the updated policy had been published “in error.” The proposed change is also tied to the department rolling out a new Taser model — the TASER 10 — which operates at a much lower maximum voltage of 1,000 compared to the old model’s 50,000 volts, but also has greater range and more cartridges. Whether the policy officially moves forward, it’s a conversation Denver residents will want to keep a close eye on.