Medical Review Endorses Taser Use for NRW Police

A study by the University of Cologne finds Tasers to be a relatively safe addition to police tools, though risks remain.

The University of Cologne conducted a study on Tasers, commissioned by the North Rhine-Westphalia government, highlighting their comparative safety and utility for police use.
The 29-page report, presented to the NRW state parliament's interior committee, concludes that Tasers pose a lower risk of severe injury than firearms.
Analysis included international studies and local police data from 2022-2023, revealing mostly minor injuries such as superficial skin wounds in about half of the cases.
While health-related aftereffects are rare, concerns remain about potential impacts on the heart and respiration, suggesting cautious use.
Introduced in 2021, Tasers remain politically contentious in NRW, with ongoing evaluations agreed upon by the CDU and Green coalition.