Police Have Used Tasers Eleven Times

According to a quarterly report from the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, police officers in Iceland used tasers 11 times during the first 16 months after being authorised to use the devices.

In addition, police drew tasers from their holsters or threatened suspects with them on 100 occasions.

The report shows that officers most frequently drew their tasers during the first quarter of last year, the second full quarter after their use was authorised. Actual deployments were most common during the autumn months, with four incidents recorded in the third quarter.

Tasers were authorised for use by Icelandic police in September 2024, introduced as a non-lethal use-of-force tool. The electroshock weapons are positioned at the same level in the use-of-force scale as batons and pepper spray, giving officers more options to select the most appropriate equipment for each situation. The aim is to enhance the safety of both the public and police officers.

Looking at 2025 by quarter, the highest number of incidents where tasers were drawn or used to threaten occurred in the first quarter, with 28 cases. The devices were actually deployed most often in the third quarter, in four cases. The fewest incidents, both in terms of drawing or threatening and actual use, occurred in the final quarter of the year.

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