WUFT-TV/FM | WJUF-FM
1200 Weimer Hall | P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

© 2024 WUFT / Division of Media Properties
News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UFPD discusses TASER protocols, cases of accidental deployment

A UFPD police car turning onto Buckman Drive, which divides the 1600 and 1700 blocks of West University Avenue known as Midtown. (Joshua Baker/WUFT News)
A UFPD police car turning onto Buckman Drive, which divides the 1600 and 1700 blocks of West University Avenue known as Midtown. (Joshua Baker/WUFT News)

The University of Florida Police Department released annual data tracking officers' responses to resistance, including instances of accidental TASER device deployments.

Since 2017, there have been five instances of accidental TASER deployment. All mishaps happened during officers daily preparations inside the department building.

UFPD Captain Rick Taylor said his officers go through hours of TASER preparation. And those who accidentally deploy a TASER are then required to complete additional training to prevent future mishaps.

State law allows law enforcement officers to deploy a TASER in the line of duty when faced with active physical resistance.

"Here at the university, we're not allowed to use it at that level," Taylor said. "For us, it has to be aggressive..."

UFPD officers have a higher threshold - in what's called aggressive physical resistance - to trigger the use of a TASER in the line of duty when on campus.

Zoey is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.