Bavarian police test tasers on patrol, 19 deployments since June

A six‑month pilot project launched in early June allows Bavarian state police officers to use distance‑electro‑impulse devices (DEIG, commonly known as tasers) on regular patrols. By the time of the report the devices had been deployed 19 times across the Schweinfurt, Regensburg Süd and Augsburg Mitte police districts. In 16 of those incidents the mere threat of taser use was enough to defuse the situation, according to the Bavarian Interior Ministry.

The trial, which involves four‑officer teams, follows a longer history of taser use by special units since 2006 and by the support command since 2021. Police officers have so far responded positively, describing the DEIG as a valuable, less‑lethal option. The ministry will evaluate the results after the six‑month period before deciding on broader adoption, while noting that the four‑person team requirement limits use in smaller stations.