Associated Press
FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- More law enforcement officers in the Fargo-Moorhead area soon will be sporting stun guns.
The West Fargo Police Department recently bought six Tasers, devices that give out an electrical shock that momentarily freezes a person’s muscles. Police Chief Arland Rasmussen said the department used a grant and private donations to cover the $3,600 cost.
“We’ve been looking at less lethal force issues for a while,” Rasmussen said.
He said that by using the devices, officers can avoid fist fights or the use of pepper spray, which he said can cause pain to an offender for an extended period of time.
Fargo Police Chief Chris Magnus said his department plans to buy 25 of the devices. Police in neighboring Moorhead, Minn., have used them for years.
Steve Tuttle, director of government affairs for Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser International said electricity does not linger in the body, and the stun guns are safe. People can get hurt only if they fall on something after being shocked, he said.
The devices are used by more than 3,000 police departments nationwide, Tuttle said.
West Fargo police Detective Duane Sall said he has been zapped numerous times during training sessions.
“It’s like a bee sting,” he said.
The guns leave a mark equivalent to a bad mosquito bite, Sall said.
Rasmussen said all officers who use the stun guns must take a mandatory four-hour training session. They also are required to be zapped, so they know how it feels.
“It kind of seizes you up,” said the chief, who recently was tased.”
Rasmussen said West Fargo officers have used the stun guns three times in the two months they have carried them. He said in one instance, a man who had stolen a car was being uncooperative with officers.
“After the Taser was used it was ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘No, sir,’ ” Rasmussen said.