Denmark to roll out Taser pistols to all police districts

The Danish government has decided to roll out Taser pistols to all police districts following a nearly two-year trial. The trial involved approximately 230 officers across the North Jutland, South Zealand and Lolland-Falster, and Copenhagen West districts.

Officers utilized the Axon Taser 10, which can fire up to ten probes with conductive wires at a distance of over 13 meters. When at least two probes hit the target, the device delivers a shock for a maximum of five seconds.

Police Inspector Peter Olesen Dahl described the device as a ‘relatively gentle means of force’ that serves as a useful supplement to existing tools like batons, pepper spray, and firearms. The trial indicated that the tasers allowed officers to respond to threats, such as individuals with knives, from a distance of more than ten meters, often avoiding the need to use service pistols.

The tasers will be implemented as ‘pool weapons,’ meaning they will not be personally issued to every officer like batons or pistols, but will instead be available to specific groups, such as those on outward-facing patrol duties.