Prioritizing Officer Safety at Scale

How the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Transformed

A Department on the Frontlines

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) is responsible for both prisons and community supervision across the state. With 54 facilities and more than 2,000 probation and parole officers, NC DAC plays a critical role in protecting life statewide.

Over the past decade, rising aggression among offenders pushed the department to reexamine how it safeguards its staff. Frontline officers needed safer, more effective tools to de-escalate tense situations—especially when physical force wasn’t ideal.

“We’re seeing a more aggressive offender population,” said Ken Smith, NC DAC’s chief of emergency preparedness.

“My goal has always been: What can I do to make it better for the staff? Give them a tool to make them safer and let them go home every day without getting a scratch on them, if we can.”

That safety-first mindset led Smith and NC DAC leadership to a department-wide rollout of TASER 10 energy weapons—technology that’s now reshaping how officers respond in the field and behind the wire.

Rising Risk, Limited Tools

Before TASER energy weapons were introduced, most correctional officers relied on OC spray, batons or physical restraint. In prison environments, where firearms are prohibited, close-range tactics were often the only option.

“We were looking for a tool more effective than general OC spray,” Smith said. “Sometimes, you need more than one option.”

In 2018, NC DAC piloted the TASER X2 energy weapon in 12 close-custody prisons. As incidents increased, the department expanded the program—and in 2024, adopted TASER 10 energy weapons statewide.

A Statewide Upgrade

Today, TASER 10 energy weapons are deployed in 35 prisons and issued to every certified probation and parole officer—more than 5,000 devices in total. Officers receive training through a statewide instructor network and carry the devices as part of their daily safety gear.

The shift was immediate. “We had offenders who, when a sergeant came around with the TASER on the belt, would yell out, ‘Sarge on the block!’ or ‘Lightning!’” Smith recalled. “That meant TASER, and fights would stop right then.”

Smith emphasized that the deterrent effect alone helped reduce harm; simply knowing the device was present often defused situations.

Safer Outcomes, Smarter Reporting

TASER 10’s enhanced capacity gave officers greater confidence. “If you miss, it’s okay—keep firing until you get the subject under control,” Smith said.

Unlike older models with only two shots, TASER 10 provides multiple opportunities to de-escalate safely and from a distance.

NC DAC also prioritized tracking and transparency. In addition to use-of-force reports, the agency now records “show of force” incidents—where energy weapons are drawn but not fully deployed.

“Our show of force numbers with no injuries are far greater than the use of forces with probes actually being deployed... that’s a win.”

With Axon’s TREND platform, the department gained insight into usage data. “TREND made it simple to show how often the TASER was utilized but not deployed,” Smith said.

In one case, a probation officer was pinned between a car door and the driver’s seat. A TASER 10 was deployed and prevented further harm. “Without that tool, deadly force may have come into question,” Smith said.

A Massive Deployment Effort

Rolling out TASER 10 across such a large statewide system came with its fair share of challenges. From the start, the scale was daunting: over 250 instructors to train, more than 50 locations to cover, and a workforce spread across dozens of facilities.

“There is no one department, one training location… it is massive,” Smith said.

One of the biggest early hurdles was an inaccurate equipment forecast that could have derailed progress. But instead of slowing things down, Axon stepped up.

“When NC DAC realized the forecast fell short, Axon didn’t hesitate—they fixed it, they ate the cost, and they made it right,” Smith said. “That was a true partnership. They prioritized the success of the deployment, and it showed.”

Beyond TASER Energy Weapons: Cameras and VR

During their TASER 10 roll out, NC DAC launched a pilot of Axon’s body-worn cameras (BWCs) for probation and parole officers.

“The biggest thing was: see, we’re doing it right,” Smith said. “The video supported staff when complaints were made.”

BWC footage also reduced the time needed to investigate false misconduct allegations. “Now we can say, ‘Just look at the video,’” he said.

Axon VR Training also gained traction with field staff. “Repetitions on the TASER and its functions make staff feel more comfortable,” Smith said. “It improves accuracy. It gives tactical advantages.”

A Personal Story of Impact

For Smith, one of the most powerful moments came from a captain who had been assaulted on duty—struck in the head by an offender and left with staples across his scalp.

“He told me after being assaulted that before TASER 10, it felt like they had to fight every day,” Smith recalled.

After the rollout, the captain’s perspective shifted dramatically. Smith said,

Within a week of them receiving TASER 10, he called me and told me that it was the best move DAC had ever made.

“To this day he sticks by that story... he’ll quickly say it’s nothing like it was before.”

That same sentiment echoed across the department.

“Without a doubt,” Smith said. “Staff at the boots-on-the-ground level were super appreciative. The initial results showed fewer assaults on staff and quicker responses to orders when approaching offender-on-offender violence.”

Because at its core, the effort wasn’t just about equipment—it was about people.

“We’ve teamed up to make this the best it can be,” said Smith. “And we haven’t stopped learning.”