By Ashlee Clark
aclark@herald-leader.com
RICHMOND — City commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday the purchase of 44 Tasers for the Richmond Police Department.
Richmond Police chief Larry Brock said there have been a number of incidents in the past year where officers have been injured on the job, and “we think that some of those could have been avoided if we had a tool like a Taser to help us avoid physical confrontation.”
Officers will begin using the Tasers in about three months after they receive training, Brock said. There is $40,000 allotted in the police department’s budget for the Tasers.
Brock and commissioner Robert Blythe said during the city commission meeting Tuesday that it was important to hold public forums to dispense information about Tasers and their use.
“I think it would just be a good, proactive type of thing” to correct misconceptions about Tasers, Blythe said.
The commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of the order. Commissioner Kay Jones was not present during the vote.
I was privileged enough a few weeks ago to experience the C2 Taser in action. I volunteered to be a recipient of its power at a demonstration given by our local sheriff’s department. The seargeant that taught the class was great in explaining the superioity of this weapon. I am 6 feet tall, muscular, and about 225 pounds. It took only 3 seconds before I hit the ground and was begging her to shut it off. If there are any disbelievers out there that think this is not an efferctive device, let me assure you that it does what it claims. I had absolutely no control of my muscles.
I also had the privilege of seeing the taser in action. The main question is would you rather be hit by a bullet or a taser, Although the taser does immobiles you the long term effects are better with a taser then a gun.
Safe & Secure http://www.guardyourselfnow.com