Probe deployments are preferred over drive stuns for what reason?

Probe deployments are favored over drive stuns primarily because they allow the user to engage an assailant from a safer distance. The probes, which are launched from the Taser, can effectively incapacitate a target from a distance of up to 15-25 feet (depending on the model and conditions), meaning the officer can maintain a safer separation from a potentially dangerous situation. This distance also enhances the effectiveness of the device; the electrical pulses generated by the probes can disrupt muscle control and inhibit the target’s ability to respond effectively, thereby reducing the risk of physical confrontation.

In contrast, drive stuns require direct contact with the target, which places the user much closer to the threat. This proximity not only increases the potential for harm to the officer but may also compromise the effectiveness of the Taser, as the incapacitating effects of the device are less predictable when deployed this way. Therefore, the capability to deploy probes enhances both safety and effectiveness in incapacitating suspects without needing to engage physically.