If the subject begins to roll after deployment, which action should the officer take to maintain electrical contact?

• A. Close the distance, move with the subject, and keep sufficient slack in the wire to maintain electrical contact.
• B. Increase the distance to avoid contact.
• C. Withdraw the device and re-aim from behind cover.
• D. Do nothing and wait for backup.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining electrical contact means keeping the circuit closed between the device and the subject. When the subject rolls, distance and angle can cause the wires to pull taut or the probes to lose contact. The best action is to close the distance and follow the subject, moving with them so the probes stay within effective range. Keeping sufficient slack in the wire allows movement without breaking contact—the slack absorbs motion and prevents the line from pulling the probes loose or snagging on obstacles. This approach keeps the electrical current flowing, maximizing the chance to achieve the intended effect. Moving away or trying to re-aim from cover increases the risk of losing contact, and waiting for backup doesn’t address the immediate need to maintain the circuit during active resistance.