Overview
- Two government‑commissioned reports from the Police University NRW and the Berlin School of Economics and Law find broad acceptance of Tasers among patrol officers.
- Officers identify de‑escalation as the chief benefit, and effectiveness data show the first discharge hits in about two thirds of cases, with both shots together hitting roughly four in five.
- The Police University study says about one in six threats were issued without prior threat or self‑endangerment, leading to recommendations for stricter guidance and technical safeguards.
- The devices remain in pilot use in 18 of 47 police authorities as the findings go to the state parliament’s interior committee this week.
- The police union urges an immediate statewide rollout, while SPD and CDU figures say the studies support broader use to be judged case by case.