Printable VersionThe jolt caused Joe Ballistrea’s face to scrunch in pain, his muscles wilting almost on contact. Before he fell to the ground, Ballistrea let out a blood-curdling scream, his body quivering with 50,000 volts of electricity.
 Submitted Photo Joe Ballistrea is stunned with a Taser as part of a demonstration on the use of police force, the second in a series of lectures and exercises known as the Citizens Police Academy. |
It was part of a demonstration on the use of police force, the second in a series of lectures and exercises known as the Citizens Police Academy. Ballistrea, the husband of a police officer, had volunteered to be the guinea pig.
“No way you could fight through that. It feels a lot longer than five seconds,” he said afterward.
The issue has been a hot topic among online discussion forums and blogs. Local law enforcement has been criticized for perhaps being too heavy handed, an accusation police say is rooted in misperception.
“How much force should an officer use? No more than is necessary,” Officer Dan Kuch told the class of 30.
Critics, however, point out that a mentally disturbed man was stunned with a Taser in the genitals during an armed standoff with police this past Halloween. Officials have said officers were aiming for the gunman’s chest, claiming that the Taser’s prongs inadvertently struck the man’s genitals instead.
Kuch said most officers prefer using a Taser rather than pepper spray or a police baton. Over time, hardened criminals develop an immunity to pepper spray, and batons are largely viewed as antiquated. Kuch said the Taser is the most effective way to subdue a belligerent suspect.
“The word is out,” he said. When an officer reaches for his Taser, “they’re like, ‘Oh no.’”
In some respects, the Taser is a more humane way to deal with unruly subjects. Unlike pepper spray, which has a lingering aftereffect lasting up to 45 minutes, the Taser is merely a five-second jolt. The recovery time is almost immediate.
Ballistrea was evidence of that. Moments after being Tasered, he was upright and talking, almost as if nothing had happened.
Officer Greg Melodia said the number of officers injured while trying to make an arrest has fallen since the advent of the Taser, though he did not provide statistics. Melodia also said fewer suspects have been injured because of the Taser.
“It makes a big difference,” he said.
The Citizens Police Academy is an 11-week class meant to give ordinary citizens a firsthand look at what police go through. It is not a training academy. The purpose is to give students insight into the world of law enforcement.
You may contact the reporter at raap@havasunews.com.
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