Quote:
Originally Posted by Phaneuf3
according to the sources i've read its 30 feet maximum.
if there's more than one officer on the scene it would definitely be feasible and safe to try to use less than lethal force first.
from 30 feet away its pretty hard to stab someone.
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This demonstrates my point of this whole thread.
Someone wielding a knife is a DEADLY FORCE ENCOUNTER. A gun is the ONLY level of force that should be used. Now, here is the kicker. Each situation is different. The use of force model used by Canadian services is dynamic and stresses the need to constantly evaluate each situation. Is there TIME to deploy a taser, is there adequate cover for the officer, is he covered by someone that can use lethal force.
In your scenario, there is obviously a lot we don't know. Distance between suspect and officer or potential victims for example.
Although the range of the taser may be 30 feet, the EFFECTIVE range I assure you is much less. A taser shoots 2 "darts". The first one fires straight where the officer is aiming. The 2nd is on a slight angle thus allowing separation of the "darts" as they hit a suspect. The current arc's between the two- the wider the arc (distance between the 2 "darts") the more effective it is. At 30 feet, the chances of that 2nd dart missing the target entirely is great. The effective range is substantially smaller.
Related, as I have stated previously there is many good books on lethel force encounters. There is plenty of studies and good solid studies. And just a note on bladed attacks- studies have shown that reaction time from the holster to an advancing knife wielding assailant averages 27 feet. Obviously this is lower when an officer already has his firearm at the ready but what it demonstrates is the importance of action vs. reaction.