A group of law enforcement professionals finished up 2 days of training on so-called “less lethal weapons” today in Fort Myers. Twenty-one officers – some from as far away as Georgia – participated in the Taser Instructor course at the San Carlos Park Fire Department. Tasers fire 2 probes attached to wires, which pass 50,000 volts of electricity into a suspect, thus immobilizing them. They’re considered a less lethal way for law enforcement to stop suspects who refuse to surrender. Taser aren’t completely without risk. The manufacturer says about 1 in 900 people stunned will die. FGCU Criminal Justice Professor - Charlie Mesloh – says Tasers—like all less lethal weapons present risks…

“There was a time when pepper spray had almost the same mortality rate when they were being used as frequently. The problem we have now is because so many agencies are using them, and they’re being deployed so often all over the country. We’re starting to have so many deployments, statistically people are going to die.”

Training includes a series of scenarios involving Taser use. It also teaches officers to look for indications people might die from being stunned…

“One of the things they’re teaching at this class today is what are some of the warning signs of the people that are having excited delirium…which is the medical term they’re using now. Hopefully this additional training will help people identify this issue, and then get people the treatment they need very, very fast.”

Officers who received the training become certified instructors – then train others within their home agencies. According to the Manufacturer, at least 50 people have died after being hit by a Taser in the past 4 years. The company says those victims died from drug use and other complications not related to being shot by the stun gun.