In the past three weeks, Howard County police have used Tasers four times to diffuse dangerous situations ? once not even taking the weapon from its holster.
“Simply having the Taser as a tool on the belt was enough to make an impact,” police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said.
Howard police launched a pilot program July 16, arming 25 officers with Tasers, following the March approval of a county bill clearing the way forthe program.
“We did it to protect our citizens, and to protect our officers as well,” said Maj. Merritt Bender, deputy chief for operations.
During four incidents in July, suspects refused to comply with officers? demands until officers either pointed the Taser or just threatened to use it.
Police haven?t had to fire the devices, which shoot two darts and send a pulsing electric current, temporarily incapacitating a person.
In one case, a 23-year-old Elkridge man had attempted suicide and was refusing to be taken into custody to receive treatment for wrist wounds, Llewellyn said.
Police pointed the Taser at the man, who complied when he saw the small, red laser dot where the probes would strike pointed at him, she said.
Police spent about a year researching the controversial device, talking with other county organizations, such as Howard County General Hospital, that will monitor the pilot, said Sgt. Bob Wagner of the police education and training division.
Four people have died in Maryland this year after being stunned by a Taser, but experts are split on whether the Taser or other factors were to blame.
According to manufacturer Taser International Inc., of the 10,485 reported incidents involving Tasers nationwide in 2006, more than 90 percent resulted in no injuries to the suspects.
One major concern is that when a Taser is used on people, they lose use of their arms and can?t break their fall, which could lead to injuries, Howard Officer Tom Marello said.
