ODW24C34 – Tasers, Pepper Spray, and the Use of Force

Description: Tasers, pepper spray, and other conducted energy devices and chemical munitions are intermediate weapons commonly used by police and corrections officers to safely gain control of resistant subjects without resorting to potentially lethal levels of force.  Unnecessary or excessive use of these devices, however, may violate the subject’s constitutional rights or result in injury or even death. This session will explore the intended use of conducted energy devices and chemical munitions, the constitutional standards that govern their use, the application of those standards by federal appellate courts, and documents unique to these devices that are needed in excessive force litigation, prosecution, and defense.

Course Year: 2024

Presenter Biography: Joseph Koenig is a retired special agent turned paralegal who spent more than two decades investigating federal and state crimes. He served as a state trooper, patrol supervisor, kennel master, and SWAT member, making real-time use-of-force decisions daily. He has a BS and a Master of Criminal Justice. He received several awards for his work in law enforcement. After retiring from that field, Joseph worked as an asset forfeiture paralegal and then in legal compliance, policy, and use of force review for a state agency. He now works with attorneys and legislative auditors, assessing the performance of state government agencies.