The Beaufort Police Department is spending this week putting its officers through mandatory refresher training on two of their most commonly carried less-lethal tools: Tasers and OC spray, commonly known as pepper spray.
In a post shared on the department’s Facebook page, Beaufort PD confirmed that officers are working through their annual recertification requirements, a process that combines classroom instruction with hands-on scenario training.
The department said the goal of the sessions is to keep officers “sharp, safe, and ready to serve.”
What the Training Involves
Recertification for less-lethal weapons typically requires officers to review department policy on when and how these tools can be used, followed by practical exercises designed to simulate real-world encounters.
For Tasers, this often includes device inspection, cartridge deployment practice, and decision-making drills that test an officer’s judgment under pressure. OC spray training generally covers proper application distance, target areas, and post-exposure care for anyone affected, including the officers themselves.
Departments across the country are typically required to recertify officers on these devices annually to remain in compliance with manufacturer guidelines and departmental policy. The training also gives instructors a chance to reinforce updates to state law or agency use-of-force policy that may have changed since the last certification cycle.
Why Recertification Matters
Regular recertification is meant to ensure that officers remain proficient with equipment they may rarely use in the field but need to operate correctly and safely when the moment calls for it.
Use-of-force experts often note that consistent training reduces the likelihood of misuse or malfunction during actual incidents, while also helping departments defend their officers’ actions if a use-of-force event is later reviewed.
Beaufort Police did not release additional details about the specific curriculum, instructors, or number of officers participating in this week’s sessions. The department has limited public comments on the original Facebook post.
The recertification comes as law enforcement agencies nationwide continue to face scrutiny over use-of-force incidents, making ongoing training documentation an important part of departmental transparency and accountability efforts.
No incidents or public safety concerns were cited as the reason for this training cycle. It appears to be part of Beaufort PD’s standard annual schedule for maintaining officer certifications on non-lethal equipment.