- In recent developments, the Saar police have been employing Tasers more frequently.
Saarland's law enforcement employed Taser devices 31 times in the preceding year. This was a four-instance increase compared to the previous year, as the Saarland State Police Headquarters disclosed to dpa upon request. In 2024, there were additionally 68 instances where the application of remote electric impulse devices was merely threatened. Initial data for the first half of 2025 was not accessible.
All in all, the Saarland police have 100 Taser units at their disposal, ensuring that almost every patrol team has one on hand, as per the headquarters' additional information. The Saarland police have employed remote electric impulse devices since 2020.
Surface-level skin wounds in 14 instances
Last year, 14 individuals experienced "surface-level skin wounds, including reddening and puncture marks from the arrow tips puncturing the skin," following the usage of Tasers. In one instance, there was an additional injury. The nature of the secondary injury in this case remained unclear at first. A secondary injury typically refers to a fall, the spokesperson clarified.
The electric shock weapon is intended for specific threat conditions when other methods of engagement are likely to fail, as per the police's assessment. A person can be temporarily incapacitated for a few seconds after being struck by two electrode darts from an electric shock device.
The increase in Taser use by Saarland's law enforcement led to 14 instances of surface-level skin wounds in individuals last year. Despite this, the Taser is used in specific threat conditions where other methods may fail, temporarily incapacitating individuals for a few seconds.
