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Metro Police Train with Tasers - John Dunn
FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn
Metro Police are taking tasers to the streets.
More than 450 officers have now been through taser training.
The weapons have a controversial history in Nashville, but police are trying to prove tasers are safe.
Metro Police say tasers save lives.
The weapons, which use a powerful electric current, can subdue any suspect no matter their size.
And now police are adding cameras and microphones to their tasers.
Before any Metro police officer is allowed to carry a taser, he or she must first come to taser training.
This eight hour course is all about making sure police know when and how to use their weapons.
"Want them to know who they can use the Taser on, what its limitations and benefits are," says police instructor Sgt. Bob Allen.
The taser fires a small dart. The point is sharp, but it's the jolt running through the wire, that provides the punch.
Metro police want to make sure their officers know the correct procedures.
In 2005, a 21 year old man on drugs was tazed multiple times.
Patrick Lee died two days later. His family blames police.
That’s one reason Metro’s new tasers are equipped with a camera and microphone.
"We get it on camera so everyone can see what we we’re dealing with," says Sgt. Allen.
During training some officers get the full experience.
50,000 volts is a shock to the system.
"It locked me up pretty good so at least I understand what we have out there on the street, to help out. Hopefully I won't have to use it, but if I do, at least I know what I have now," says Officer Aaron Wigginton.
Bottom line, police hope tasers will keep officers and suspects from getting hurt.
"This is the best thing that has ever come along. It helps me put down a guy who is 6'5" 340 pounds, where if it required physical force, it would take us three and maybe a few more," says Sgt. Bob Allen.
Right now Metro Police only have about 200 tasers, so not everyone who goes through training will have one issued to them.
But compared to just a few months ago, there are many more tasers on the streets of Nashville.
Metro Police Train with Tasers - John Dunn
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