POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 31 STUNNING COMPLIANCE Notching up the Power on Police Equipment With a shout of “Taser! Taser!” 50,000 volts of electricity shot through Kelly Reid. It was part of the corporal’s training on how the new equipment being introduced to Truro police officers affects people. “It’s pretty powerful. It totally disabled me,” Reid said after she stopped trembling. It was her task to grab a $5 bill being held in front of her by a fellow police officer. Just as she grasped the bill tightly in her hand the electrical current went through her body and her eyes grew increasingly large. Reid fell back and was caught by her fellow officers, also being trained on how to use the new device. Had the current come any sooner, she said: “I wouldn’t have been able to proceed for my target.” The Taser is an eight-ounce weapon that can also be used as a stun gun to temporarily subdue criminals. Two electrodes with hooks attached to them are shot from the unit and stick into people’s clothes. The current can penetrate about six centimetres in the body. “It’s not new technology, it was invented originally in the United States,” said Cpl. Loran Morrison, one of two teachers with the police force. “It’s going to be used as a compliance weapon.” He said it is less lethal, and can be more efficient, than other weapons like pepper spray which is airborne. Tests on Tasers have been positive and it has been proven they do not lead to permanent damage to the victim. “It overides the central nervous system,” Morrison said, “which has a devasting effect.” The new piece of equipment will not replace anything, but will compliment current equipment. “It gives us another tool to use,” said Sgt. Greg Densmore. Sgt. Dave Darrah, of the Bible Hill RCMP, said the province’s RCMP tactical squad has Tasers but there are none locally. “Apparently they’ll be issued to us later this year,” Darrah said. Sgt. Greg Densmore (right) awaits the feeling of being Tasered by Cpl. Loran Morrison Monday during training on how to use the new piece of equipment. The tool, which shoots 50,000 volts of electricity through criminals to temporarily subdue them, is used throughout the country. By Jason Malloy - Truro Daily News Is made easy with a Taser
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