Fairchild security forces to carry Tasers Published Jan. 12, 2012 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- In the coming weeks, 92nd Security Forces Squadron patrol members and installation entry controllers will be outfitted with Tasers in addition to their 9mm pistols and M-4 rifles. In an effort to have additional less than lethal force options, the 92nd SFS have planned the implementation of the Taser for more than four years. "Tasers have been long awaited here at Fairchild," said J. Colt, 92nd SFS instructor. "It is truly a unique capability. It can be used on a non-compliant person with little or no threat to others in the area. For example, pepper spray exposes the 'bad guy,' the officer and anyone nearby. Expandable Batons can cause serious injury even when used properly by a trained person and they take physical ability and strength and strict training to be effective, but the Taser technology significantly reduces all of those issues." In order for security forces to carry the Taser, in-depth training is required. The first classes began last month and about 70 security forces personnel are now trained. The patrols go through an extensive seven-hour class consisting of technical information, weapon familiarization, targeting, and if they volunteer, exposure to the Taser. "'Exposure' being the technical term for receiving the 'five second ride,'" Colt said. "The exposure training is no longer mandatory but most of our defenders volunteer. It's easy to watch hours of Power Point slides and go through the shooting drills, but to take the 'five second ride' puts it all into perspective. I can't think of any other training we do that shows the potential of this weapon." One security forces Airman who received the training as well as the "ride" with it summed up his experience. "I decided I wanted to experience a Taser shot because if I'm going to be willing to shoot someone with it, I want to know what they're in for," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Armitage, 92nd SFS. "It felt like 'King Kong' was jumping up and down on me -- it's definitely something I would not want to go through again." The Taser produces 50,000 volts of electricity. That's just what it takes to push the electricity into performance. In actuality, only about 1200 volts travels through the body pulsed at 19 times per-second producing less than .004 amps (an electrical outlet at home produces about 20 amps). The electricity from the Taser is delivered with darts or by direct contact. It is one of the most tested force tools in history and the risk for injury, even for persons with cardiac problems is significantly minimal, according to Taser's operations guidance. "The Taser works by disrupting the sensory and motor nervous system," Colt said. "Simply put, it confuses the electrical stimulus to the muscles, causing muscular incapacitation. The beauty of this tool is when the electricity cycle stops, other than your memory telling you I don't want to do that again, you are pretty close to normal. Physically, your body might feel like you finished your morning PT." Security forces hope not to have to resort to using the Taser on anyone, but will be ready if needed. With this additional force option, security forces have another valuable tool, along with training, to protect themselves and the Fairchild community. "When our patrol perceives that someone is resisting apprehension or arrest, or the safety of the patrol or others is in question, the Taser is now an option of force," Colt said. "Our patrols are trained to give a non-compliant person options within reason. Like a comedian once put it 'Think of those options as hints.' If you pick the wrong option, the officer is going to take steps to protect him and others. Using a Taser in a potentially violent situation significantly reduces the risk of injury to all including the person resisting arrest. So if the officer says, 'Stop or I will Tase you!' I would take this advice...stop."