Shocking

The Portland Police Department will soon be one of 2,000 agencies in the United States which use Taser guns.

Eighteen police officers from Indiana and Ohio attended a 12-hour class on the Tasers on Thursday and Friday. Portland Police Chief Bob Sours, investigator Todd Wickey and officers Chad Ridenour and Steven Schlechty were among those who took part in the classes held at the Portland Fire Station.

Sours said he and the others from his department will take what they’ve learned and train the other 18 regular and reserve officers. After three or four weeks of training and standard operating procedures for the weapons have been established, officers will begin carrying the guns in their vehicles.

The weapons shoot 50,000 volts and 26 watts of electricity through two small probes and 21 feet of wire. This shock overrides the body’s nervous control system, which causes the muscles to lock up. The electric current lasts for five seconds, or until the trigger is released.

Portland police currently own two of the guns. Sours said the department would purchase enough of the X26 $800 models so each police car will have one. The guns will use XP26 cartridges, which have a longer probe needle and will go through thicker clothing.

Sours said his department decided to implement the use of the Tasers because they will be helpful in many situations. He said often, officers have to use physical force with people who are high on drugs, intoxicated or in a fight. He said the guns will be especially effective with suspects on drugs or alcohol because they often are difficult to apprehend and do not feel the pain caused by nightsticks or pepper spray.

“(A Taser) takes the fight out of you,” Sours said.

Winchester, Muncie, Dunkirk and Jay County police, in addition to Ball State University police, all have Tasers, Sours said.

“We feel that the Taser is a good tool for officer protection and to protect citizens. Other departments have found it to be successful,” Sours said.

Taser instructor and California policeman Neil Henderson said Thursday the guns have been on the market since 1999. No deaths have been reported, and the guns can be used on anyone. People with heart problems or pacemakers and pregnant women will not be harmed by the electrical shock, he added.

The probes are made of stainless steel or brass, and the needle portions have a hook on the end, similar to a fishing hook. Once the electrical shock ends, the person receiving it recovers immediately. The only lasting effects of the hit are the two small puncture wounds caused by the probes.[[In-content Ad]]