WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderTaser issues advisory on use of stun guns

Taser issues advisory on use of stun guns

By Marissa Alter

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Stun gun maker Taser comes out with a new warning about its weapon.

The company advises officers not to aim at suspects' chests if possible. Taser's warning is part of a training bulletin this month because of a possible risk for heart problems. The bulletin, though, may not change much for local police.

Taser's warning stresses there's no evidence the stun gun causes sudden cardiac arrest. But the company now recommends avoiding chest shots when possible to stay clear of any controversy.

At Loves Park, patrol officers have been armed with the stun guns for nearly a year now. Officer Jeff Petty says initially, they went through an eight-hour training block.

"Obviously avoid sensitive areas like the head, neck, groin area," he says. "The ideal way to tase someone would be a large muscle area such as the back."

But Petty admits that's not always possible. "Obviously people don't stop and turn around for you. That's why we have tools such as the Taser. Sometimes that just doesn't happen depending on the situation."

In Freeport, the police department distributes any Taser bulletins, like this one, to officers who use the stun guns. But this warning probably doesn't change their tactics. They learn to aim for the back. Officers armed with Tasers also get recertified every year and take an annual written test.

Petty says Loves Park police go through scenario training and fire two live cartridges every year for practice. He stresses it's not their intention to hurt anyone, but admits anything can be fatal.

"But it is a less lethal tool."

Critics of Taser say this is a big reversal for the company. But Taser doesn't see it that way.