Cops Use Nonlethal Force
Nonlethal weapons, such as bean bags and rubber bullets fired from guns, sponge rounds shot from a launcher, pepper spray, do-rite sticks, and tasers, are able to control dangerous situations without causing lethal harm to assailants, says Michigan-based Hazel Park Police chief David Niedermeier.
The weapons are stored in locked police cars, which means every type of nonlethal weapon is available to officers.
Niedermeier says the department is gathering funding to purchase 10 tasers, which cause a person to lose control of muscles due to a high-voltage electric charge entering their body.
Hazel Park is also considering the use of pepper ball guns, according to deputy chief Thomas Wightman.
Different forms of nonlethal technology prove themselves effective in controlling aggressive people and handling situations where officers or others are under attack, explains Wightman.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Detroit News (06/18/03) P. 4Y; Stolarz, Christina