TASER Devices are Valuable Say Officers

The continuing debate over TASER devices and their use in police departments has recently come to light again in San Diego County after an illegal immigrant died when resisting arrest at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Even though concerns have been shed by many individuals over the use of the devices, the self defense tools which are frequently employed by many law enforcement officials will not be banished anytime soon.

Local officers in San Diego County say that TASER weapons have become a valuable solution to traditional firearms and their bullets. The advantages of operating these self defense devices far outweigh the risks.

However, while it may not be the perfect tool for everyone it is a better choice to pick compared to shooting someone.

TASER device deployment policy varies from agency to agency; however many officers initially wait for an individual to display behavior that is considered either combative or assaultive. Additionally, if a person is resisting arrest, or has access to a weapon then officers can employ their devices.

Since the tools have been added to police departments across the United States they have provided a safety buffer for countless officers attempting to gain control of a person or situation. Instead of sending someone to physically deal with an individual who may be holding a concealed weapon, the stun gun devices present the ideal opportunity of putting an end to a situation in a timely manner.

And yet, concern about when and how officers decide to employ their TASER weapons is a tricky issue to be dealt with. In some cases officers are simply pulling out their devices on individual who are merely not being cooperative instead of focusing on serious and deadly threats.

However, while there are issues about police use of them, they have helped to reduce the number of shootings, especially in San Diego County after they were implemented in 2006. They have seen a reduction from an average of seven to 10 a year to a mere three in the last four years.

Of course there are also individuals who are compliant when it comes to arrest, simply because of their fear of the TASER devices. When a suspect is aware that an officer is carrying one they soon back down from a fight.

Furthermore, the number of deaths related to these tools is small considering the amount of times they are employed. One study even found that after 1,201 TASER device uses over a three year period, there was mild or no injuries found in 99.75 percent of the situations.

As a result, while these devices have received a questionable name in the press they nonetheless are a valuable source of deployment for many law enforcement officials.