Stun guns seens as the safer alternative
By Danielle Zielinski
Daily Press
Related: Taser tactics and training injuries
JAMES CITY, Va. — Some officers at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail are in for a shock as the jail gears up to introduce Tasers at the facility next month.
Three officers on each of the jail’s four shifts will be trained and certified to use the stun guns — a training that includes a five-second shot with the device, said Capt. Dave Arnold.
“We feel like it’s important for the officer to know firsthand what they’re delivering,” said Arnold, director of personnel and training at the jail.
Two officers already have been certified as Taser instructors. Once all of the officers complete training, the two Tasers the jail ordered will be made available for use.
While every officer will not be equipped with or certified to use a Taser, the devices will be kept in lockboxes in easily accessible locations, Arnold said. Officers will have to be recertified to use the devices each year.
Arnold said the jail first began considering purchasing Tasers after an incident last year with a large, mentally disturbed inmate who was acting violently.
Officers used a type of pepper spray to subdue the man, but then had to treat him for asthma that was aggravated by the spray. Arnold said a Taser would be preferable to the spray for inmates who have asthma or breathing problems, or for those who might not respond to other compliance methods.
“We’re seeing more mentally disturbed people,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t react to pressure or compliance techniques. That’s why something else is needed.”
When an officer first fires a Taser, the weapon delivers a standard, five-second shot of electricity. After the initial shot, if a person is still not compliant, an officer can squeeze the trigger again. The second time, the length of time the officer holds the trigger equals the amount of time a current is delivered.
Arnold said he hopes the Tasers will help prevent injuries to officers and inmates alike. With so many hard surfaces, such as concrete floors and steel bunks, physical confrontations and attempts to restrain inmates can be hazardous.
“You end up with a lot of officer injuries as well as injuries to the inmates,” Arnold said. “If we have somebody who is known to be violent, then a Taser would automatically be a consideration instead of six people rushing into a cell.”
The electric current delivered by the Taser does not transfer, so officers can safely touch or restrain an inmate who is being shocked.
Arnold said the jail will be adding a specific provision on Taser use to the jail’s use-of-force policy.
Copyright 2008 Daily Press