When is a police officer allowed to use a taser?

A video of a police officer using a Taser on a delivery driver in Amsterdam has sparked public discussion regarding the official regulations governing the use of conducted energy weapons. Under Dutch police guidelines, Tasers may only be deployed in specific scenarios, such as when a suspect possesses a weapon, attempts to evade arrest, presents an immediate danger to others, or poses a threat to the officer. The Taser, which delivers 50,000 volts to incapacitate a subject, is considered a significant use-of-force tool that requires a mandatory incident report for review by a senior officer. Experts note that while officers are trained in various physical and non-lethal intervention methods, the choice of the Taser depends on the officer's situational assessment, including factors like isolation or communication difficulties. Despite occasional scrutiny and investigations by the Public Prosecution Service, the use of these devices remains a subject of ongoing training and evaluation to ensure proportionality and professional standards across the Netherlands.