Taser deployments in Hesse are increasing dramatically: What does that mean for us?

Taser deployments in Hesse are increasing dramatically: What does that mean for us?

Police work in Hesse has changed noticeably in recent years. The use of Tasers is a big topic that raises questions for many citizens. Because the stakes have increased significantly. In 2025, more precisely by September 30, Tasers have already been used 80 times, which represents a significant increase compared to 62 uses in the same period last year. These figures come from the Borkener Zeitung, which points out that the increase is primarily due to the greater availability of devices in police stations, which have been used in special units since 2005 and also in guard and rotating shift duty since 2019.

In the context of police work, it is important to understand that Tasers are not simply intended for every police operation. Rather, they are classified as a milder means compared to firearms. The State Criminal Police Office assesses the use of Tasers as a more effective, less dangerous alternative. In fact, the risk of serious injury or death is higher when a firearm is used, although a total of three deaths have been recorded in Hesse since the introduction of Tasers. However, all of the people affected had previous health problems, and only in one case was the use of the Taser found to be the “cause of death”.

Operations and training

A look at the detailed figures shows that Tasers were used 48 times in the entire year of 2023, of which the devices were actually triggered 22 times. In the first eight months of 2024, they have already been used in 52 cases, while in 19 other cases they have only been threatened. According to reports from the T-online platform, there are currently 155 Tasers in the seven Hessian police headquarters. There are also 35 devices that are used by the Hessian riot police.

In order to do justice to the increasing number of deployments, Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) is planning to noticeably increase the number of Tasers - more than tripling it. This is intended to ensure widespread availability, which is of great importance for police work. However, using the Taser requires extensive training that must be refreshed regularly. This training is crucial because the Taser is intended for special threat situations in which other means of use would probably not be successful.

Political and social debates

The issue of Taser use is also a major concern for politicians and the public. Federal Interior Minister Dobrindt has already presented plans to equip the federal police with Tasers. A corresponding draft law has already been passed, but still needs to be confirmed by the Bundestag. The police union is positive about the plans and sees Tasers as an important tool for averting danger. Critics, on the other hand, warn of the health risks, especially for people with previous illnesses, and instead call for greater emphasis on de-escalation and communication in stressful situations.

Overall, it appears that the use of Tasers remains a controversial topic both in the Hessian police and in a nationwide context. However, the numbers and the political discussions provide a clear indication that a change is underway in the area of ​​policing that focuses on the safety of both emergency services and citizens.