Thu, Mar 12, 2009 (11:13 a.m.)
Dan Jennings
For the past four years, officers of the Boulder City Police Department have carried the Taser, a hand-held electronic control device that provides a less than lethal option in volatile situations.
To become certified to carry the Taser, officers receive six hours of specialized training that culminates in one being "Tasered." Officers must receive additional training each year and demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of the device. Thousands of law enforcement officers nationwide have been trained with the Taser.
I believe the Taser is the best tool for law enforcement since the bullet-resistant vest. On many occasions, merely drawing my Taser from its holster has been enough to control unruly suspects. Other officers have reported similar experiences.
Setting aside my personal experiences in successfully deploying the Taser, scientific studies confirm my claims about its usefulness. Since fully instituting the Taser program, the Phoenix Police Department has seen a 67 percent reduction in suspect injuries. The Austin Police Department realized an 82 percent decrease in suspect injuries and a 50 percent decrease in the number of injured officers.
Why are these statistics important to the public? The savings in reduced liability and workers compensation costs are a boon to taxpayers, especially in these tough economic times.
The public should also know that the Taser is safe. In addition to being "Tasered" in 2005 when I was initially certified to carry the device, I attended instructor training last week.
As part of the training, I was shot from a distance of 15 feet. The two probes lodged snugly in my back. I then received a five-second "full ride" courtesy of my instructor, Henderson City Marshal Jim Light.
I recovered quickly and suffered no injuries or pain — except for sore muscles the next day and the knowledge that somewhere there is a video of my ordeal. Fortunately, the camera was filming from my good side as it captured the probes striking my body.
Feb. 26 – Narcotics arrest
Officers of the Graves II squad (Ford, Woolsey, Wilkin, and Case) respond to a residence at 8:30 p.m. after neighbors complain of excessive traffic and loud noise. A 23-year old mother of three admits to selling narcotics and gives officers permission to search her purse. A quantity of heroin is seized and the woman is arrested. Her three children were released to the custody of her mother.
Feb. 27 – Drunk driver
At 9:15 p.m., a motorist en route from Henderson to Boulder City on U.S. 93 uses his cell phone to call 911 about an erratic driver swerving on the highway. The erratic driver almost collides with other vehicles and the NHP and HPD dispatch centers are flooded with calls. Officer Wilkin pulls the vehicle over but not before the driver jumps the curb. Officer Wilkin has one in custody for DUI alcohol.
Feb. 28 – Drunk driver
Officer Salazar stops a vehicle for a traffic violation on Avenue A at 3 a.m. The 48-year old female driver has the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath and fails the field sobriety tests. Officer Salazar has one in custody for DUI alcohol.
March 1 – Felony warrant arrest
Officer Healing stops a vehicle for a traffic violation at 5:00 p.m. on Nevada Highway. A 24-year old woman riding in the vehicle provided false identification to officers but was subsequently arrested after her true identity was determined. The woman was reluctant to provide her true name because she was wanted by California authorities for insurance fraud.
March 2 – Warrant arrest
Officer Ham recognizes a 24-year old local man near the 7-11 on Nevada Way and remembers that he has a bench warrant. Officer Ham has one in custody en route to the police station.
March 3 – Felony warrant arrest
An intoxicated female flags down Officer Barth in front of the Sands Motel at 12:09 a.m. She wants to provide information about local drug activity, but is evasive about her true identity. Officer Barth learns that the 50-year old woman is wanted by Arizona authorities for felony charges. After issuing her a citation for public intoxication, Officer Barth has one in custody en route to the Clark County Detention Center.
March 4 – Defrauding a taxi driver
A 37-year old man tries to pay his $72 cab fare with a credit card. The credit card is denied and the suspect exits the cab and runs into the Post Office. Officer Olson arrives and after investigating the incident, arrests the suspect and takes him to jail.
Weekly Statistics
Incident reports — 62
Traffic stops — 230
Citations issued — 164
Adult arrests — 16
Juvenile arrests — 0
Animal control — 136
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