What constitutes a negligent discharge of ECD?

A negligent discharge of an Electronic Control Device (ECD) is characterized by actions that demonstrate a failure to adhere to the standards and guidelines of using such devices, which may result in unintentional harm or danger. This concept embodies a lack of reasonable care that a trained officer is expected to maintain, especially while handling potentially lethal tools like an ECD.

When an incident is determined to be misconduct by the Internal Affairs Division (IAD), it indicates that the officer acted in a way that violated departmental policies or procedures. Such a determination reflects a breach of accepted conduct and can highlight negligent behavior—essentially confirming that the discharge did not align with the expected operational protocol for using an ECD responsibly. This aligns directly with the definition of negligent discharge, as it signifies that the officer demonstrated carelessness or a significant deviation from standard practices that could reasonably result in an undesired and dangerous outcome.

In contrast, options describing a mistake without misconduct, an intentional act of force, or a practice during training do not adequately capture the essence of negligent discharge. A mistake without misconduct implies an absence of fault, while an intentional act depicts a willful use of the device rather than negligence. Lastly, practice during training suggests a controlled environment where understanding and adherence to safety protocols