I'm sure it's just a matter of time before all of the
Big Bend park rangers start carrying these..
From the Border Hotline...
Sheriff’s deputies certified to carry taser guns
Linda Bailey Potter 11.MAR.07
ALPINE – Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson told Border Hotline News that they now have two taser guns for use only by deputies certified to carry the “stun-type” gun. The two deputies that have been certified are Chief Deputy Ryan Skelton and in south county, Deputy Javier Rodriquez.
Both men attended an eight-hour class and then took an exam, and then they had to themselves receive a shock from the taser gun itself before they could be certified, see related photos. They have to renew their certification every year.
“We hope that we do not have to use them. The main reason that we got them was to handle situations where [for instance] an inmate would barricade themselves in a cell or to deal with emotionally disturbed persons,” Dodson said.
Skelton said that the use of force continuum still applies before a taser gun would be used. For instance, instead of a last resort to use pepper spray they would use the taser gun because it stops the individual instantly and does not injury anyone. Pepper spray hurt for a couple of hours, with the taser gun the pain is over with after a shot from the gun.
The taser gun is for use within 21 ft., and other than shooting electrodes; it also shoots small pieces of paper with the serial number of the cartridge on them. This helps in the investigation of the incident.
“Officers or the public don’t get hurt as often, the risk of injury is not as high and there is a higher instance of compliance,” Skelton said of problems they have when they have to physical subdued someone who does not want to comply with the officers’ instructions other than using physical force.
Each gun gives out 50,000 volts, which is different than amps. Skelton said that the amount of amps from a taser gun is ¼ of the amount of amps in a Christmas tree light bulb.
The two Model X26 taser guns cost the county about $700 and were paid out of funds from their asset forfeiture account from drug money.
Chief Deputy Ryan Skelton recieving shot from taser gun. photo by Lind Bailey Potter
