Colstrip
cops to get tasers
The Colstrip Police Department will be fielding
and training on the X26 Advanced Taser non-lethal weapon.
After significant research, Chief Larry Reinlasoder found the
X26 Advanced Taser to be a practical, safe and effective weapon
for non-lethal situations.
The taser is another alternative for the responding officer on
a call that is forced to use a non-lethal weapon (batons or pepper
spray or hands on) when dealing with a suspect. Chief Reinlasoder
was instrumental in introducing the Taser to the Billings Police
Department when he was employed there, he said.
Sgt. Cory Hert was selected to go through the advanced training
and become Instructor Certified through Taser International. He
recently completed his requirements, which included feeling the
consequences of the X26 when used on a suspect. The training was
done in Billings February 15-16, 2006.
"When used as trained, the suspect will definitely be immobilized,"
Hert said. "I was incapacitated and couldn't do anything
to resist, which is in the officer's favor. When the impulse was
complete, I was fully functional and it left no permanent damage
or injury on me." Research shows that employing the Advanced
Taser not only increases Officer Safety, but also decreases injuries
to suspects that may occur when utilizing sprays or impact weapons.
The Advanced Taser fires two probes up to 25 feet and when they
make contact with the target, the Advanced Taser transmits powerful
electrical pulses into the target's body. This Electro-Muscular
Disruption (EMD) weapon uses a 5 watt electrical signal to completely
override the Central Nervous System and directly control the Skeletal
Muscles.
This EMD effect causes an uncontrollable contraction of the muscle
tissue, allowing the X26 to physically incapacitate a target regardless
of pain tolerance or mental focus.
In most cases, the individual is immobilized in less than half
a second. Further studies show that in more than 20 years of field
use, Taser International, manufacturer of the X26 Advanced Taser
reported there has never been a death attributed directly to Taser
technology.
The Advanced Taser also uses the same movements and muscle memory
as a firearm, making the system extremely instinctive and easy
to use for any firearm-qualified officer.
Accordingly, the unit is more accurate and reliable under high-stress
environments than other less-lethal weapons that require new and
unfamiliar motor skills. This allows officers to remain focused
on the suspect, a key asset in any high-stress situation.
Hert is the first to be certified in Rosebud County as an instructor
of the X26 Advanced Taser and will be training/qualifying remaining
CPD officers on March 31, 2006. Upon successful completion of
the training, all CPD officers will be carrying the X26 Advanced
Taser.
Chief Reinlasoder added that he feels the Taser units will reduce
the risk of injury to police officers and suspects. "Too
often when a use of force involves an impact weapon like the baton,
or an officer must physically restrain a combative person, there
is an injury that occurs either to the officer and/or the suspect."
It has also been shown to be an excellent tool that allows the
police to use a non-lethal weapon to subdue a suspect high on
drugs or alcohol or one that may be mentally ill and displaying
violent tendencies. I have seen cases where deadly force was used
when a tool like the Taser may have avoided that and saved a life."
Colstrip
Police 
