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But SA Police have refused to provide the ABC with its operational rules that outline when a taser can and cannot be used and said doing so would be against the public interest.

The case is the latest to cast doubt on SA Police's assurances that Electronic Control Devices (ECDs), better known by the trade name "Taser", are used responsibly and did not pose a risk to the public.

"We have a number of vulnerable people who either have medical issues, psychological or physical issues whereby the use of a taser renders the person's body effectively incapacitated to a degree and therefore the risk of that secondary injury increases exponentially," he said.

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SA Police has defended its rising use of tasers, after the ABC obtained video of officers tasering a man who was on crutches.

The man, who is in his 50s, was lying on a bed nursing a broken leg when police came to speak to him about a family dispute. (Supplied)

"I felt like someone squeezed the air out of my lungs. I couldn't move. I just went down, had no control whatsoever," the man told the ABC.

"We've had circumstances where an arrest is being effected and the person may be hindering to a degree, and so to enable compliance, the use of a taser has been done," he said.

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But then-Deputy Commissioner Grant Stevens said in 2014 that "we won't see those sorts of behaviours in South Australia".

Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria all ban their use "on persons where there is a likelihood of significant secondary injuries".

SA Police did not answer questions about whether there was a need to improve officers training or police procedures to prevent tasers being used on vulnerable people.

"I had to defend myself. I went into the kitchen, grabbed the knife, and I was heading towards the dining room to sit on the table to negotiate," he told the ABC.

One says: "Just tase him, mate", before his colleague shoots the man in the back with a taser, making him fall hard onto the floor.

The officers decided there was no action needed about the family dispute, but they were also instructed to get a DNA sample from the man about an unrelated assault charge he was facing, a charge which was eventually dropped.

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"Anecdotally, policy changes to authorise the use of ECD where police officers are justifiably concerned about a risk of serious injury to themselves or others, does provide an effective measure to safely apprehend a person who is displaying violence, limiting physical restraint interventions," it said.

"There are other ways in which police could have or ought to have dealt with an individual and we're finding unfortunately, across the board that the use of tasers is suddenly increasing, which is causing distress and harm to a number of clients," he said.

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Mr Caldicott said he had also seen instances where tasers were used to make people comply with a police direction, something prohibited by most taser-use guidelines in other states.

Former police commissioner Mal Hyde had been reluctant to roll out tasers to general duties officers for fear they would be used too often.

In that case, the Director of Public Prosecutions chose not to charge the officers, but they remain under internal investigation and could still face sanctions, such as retraining or a fine.

The majority of the course focuses on hands-on training with the Taser device. Participants will learn how to properly aim and fire the device, how to use the various modes of operation, and how to effectively deploy the device in different scenarios. The training includes scenario-based exercises to help participants develop their decision-making and de-escalation skills.

"I thought it was a joke. It was clear that the SAPOL officers had overstepped the boundaries and went too excessive on my uncle with the taser, with the pepper spray, being dragged out of the house and then stick the knees in," he said.

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Adelaide criminal lawyer James Caldicott told the ABC he had seen other cases where people at risk of serious injury had been tasered.

"Police officers confront dangerous situations day in day out, and I expect the highest level of standards from them when it comes to the use of force and making sure that they exercise their tactical options the right way," he said.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told ABC Radio Adelaide on Wednesday that he wanted to officers to be safe while on the job.

SA Police told the ABC the increase was because the weapons were now being carried by most officers, including those on traffic duties.

In a statement, SAPOL said: "Given the amendment to policy and increased deployment of ECD, it is not unexpected to see an increase in the use."

Figures provided to the ABC under Freedom of Information show officers fired the weapons 88 times in the 2022-23 financial year, compared with only 41 in 2016-17.

The weapons were also allowed to be fired at unarmed people, sparking fears they could be used inappropriately, and could kill people, as they have in other states.

The man, who is in his 50s, was lying on a bed, nursing a broken leg when police came to speak to him about a family dispute in November 2022.

"I broke my hip. I felt something loose in my hip and painful and I knew something was broken. I told them that and they called an ambulance."

The Axon Taser Training course designed for active duty law enforcement, military and selected security professionals provides hands-on training and practical knowledge of the Taser X26P and Taser 7.

"We don't release information that would potentially aid those people that we tend to find ourselves in conflict with," Commissioner Stevens said.

The use of tasers on vulnerable people became a national concern when Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old dementia patient, died after being tasered by a police officer at her nursing home in New South Wales.

South Australia was one of the last states to allow officers to carry the weapons on their belts, making the change in 2014.

The Axon Taser Training course covers the Taser X26P and Taser 7 models and is designed to teach participants proper handling, use, and maintenance of the device to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety. The 8-hour training includes legal and ethical considerations, as well as hands-on practice exercises to develop decision-making and de-escalation skills. Upon completion, participants will receive a certification of completion (valid for one calendar year from the date of the class).

Defensive Firearms Instruction (DFI) is a State of Oregon authorized provider of in-person trainings and courses professionally led by certified instructors in the following areas: Security (DPSST, Baton, Handcuff, Pepper Spray, and Taser), Firearms (Pistol, Shotgun, Carbine, and Rifle), Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Safety Training, and CPR/First Aid

"But I also expect them to go home uninjured every night, so if they need to take action against a person who is threatening them, then they have my full support to do so."

NSW Police policy states tasers should not be used on people who are fleeing or disabled, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Participants receive a certification of completion, indicating that they have been trained to safely and effectively utilize the Taser device in the line of duty.

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The man disputed their authority to get the sample and threatened to use "deadly force" if police tried to take the swab.

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"SAPOL's policy authorises the use of ECD in circumstances where police officers were justifiably concerned about a risk of serious injury to themselves or others, not for non-compliance," it said in a statement.

Lawyer James Caldicott said he supported the use of tasers on dangerous offenders but was concerned that police could be reaching for the weapon too quickly, without trying other forms of de-escalation.

When officers insisted on their right to take a sample, the man left the room on crutches and picked up a steak knife from the kitchen.