'City Police Earn Taser Certification PDF Print E-mail
By JOEL McNEECE
Calhoun City Police Chief Benny Langford described it as a feeling he’s never felt before and hopefully never will again. Langford and a number of his police officers, including some from Bruce and Derma, earned their certification to use tasers last Saturday.
Keith_Thacker_Tasered“It hurts,” Langford said of being tased. “You’re totally incapacitated for about five seconds and you don’t want to take another hit.”
The 8-hour certification course was administered by Calhoun City Asst. Chief Greg Pollan, who recently completed taser instruction school.
One of the requirements for earning certification is to be tased yourself.
In addition to Langford, those taking part were Calhoun City policemen Mark Whitaker, Keith Thacker, Tito Lopez, Robert Tedder, and Kenneth White; Bruce policemen Mark Hendrix and Phillip Brackett; and Derma policeman Charlie Jackson.
Chief Langford said he sought the certification for his force due to the effectiveness of tasers as a safety tool.
“They can stop deadly force more effectively than pepper spray and other tools and they are safer than most other means,” Langford said.
He said it’s also beneficial for suspects to know you have such a tool.
“It has a psychological effect,” Langford said. “People knowing you have a taser certainly helps calm a situation down.”
The department adopted a policy with procedures for taser use. The Bruce Police Department and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department were already certified for tasers.