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INSIDE IOWA STATE
February 1, 2002
Taser implementation to take months
by Anne Krapfl
During its Jan. 16 meeting in Iowa City, the Board of Regents, State of
Iowa, approved Taser weapons for use by campus officers at the three regents
universities. The regents also approved several name changes: the
department's public safety officers are now police officers and the law
enforcement division is the police division. Inside asked Jerry
Stewart, director of ISU's department of public safety, and Gene Deisinger,
manager of the department's special operations unit, what happens
next.
What is the timeline for equipping ISU officers with the Taser weapon?
A: We don't have a timeline yet for when officers will start carrying the
Tasers, but we know what has to happen first. We'll need to write department
policy about when and how to use them, confirm funding and purchase the
weapons, and train all officers who will carry them. All of this will take
several months.
Who will carry the Tasers?
A: Only the 32 certified police officers in our police division. Student
employees won't use them; employees outside our police division won't use
them.
Why weren't pepper spray and expandable batons (DPS officers' weapons)
enough?
A: We don't see a lot of violent crime on campus, but we are seeing an
increase in reported incidents involving hostile or threatening behavior. We
want to take a proactive role in those cases to minimize injury or threats
to anyone. You also have to remember that ISU is not a closed community. Not
all the people our officers encounter are Iowa State students or necessarily
concerned about a safe campus community.
Why Taser weapons?
A: We looked into other weapons, for example, a beanbag gun or rifle, a gun
that fires rubber pellets, but this (Taser) is the weapon that met or
surpassed the criteria we set for ourselves. Those criteria were: instant
"stopping power" of most subjects; by design, shouldn't cause serious or
permanent injury; provides optimal distance between an officer and a
dangerous person (thus maximizing officer's safety); can be carried on an
officer's belt.
What are some of these safeguards?
A: - For one, a safety mechanism must be turned off before an officer
fires the weapon.
- Once the Taser is activated, a laser beam indicates the point of impact
of the weapon's projectiles. A laser dot projected onto a suspect sometimes
is enough to compel cooperation with an officer.
- Once an officer deploys the Taser's electrodes, the weapon's electrical
charge automatically will turn off in 5 seconds, if the officer hasn't
already manually stopped it. The electrodes themselves do not have to come
in contact with skin; the electrical charge is effective through up to 2
inches of clothing.
- A computer chip in each Taser records its uses. That information can be
downloaded but not edited, providing for tracking and accountability of the
weapon.
- Each time the weapon is fired, several dozen "microdots" also are
ejected and fall to the ground. These microdots contain a serial number that
is traceable to a specific weapon and officer.
Are Taser weapons a stepping stone to ISU officers carrying guns?
A: Firearms are a separate issue. This proposal was about looking for a
less-lethal option for stopping people. Within our options, we view this as
an improvement in our efforts to enhance campus safety. Even if our officers
carried firearms, I think we'd want to look into other, less-lethal options,
including the Taser weapon.
What's the significance of the name changes?
A: The new name better reflects our training and our responsibilities. Some
people still perceive us as security personnel or think only of our parking
division. The police division is a professional, nationally accredited
police agency. Our officers receive the same training and certification as
officers at police units throughout the state. We hope it will help the
community understand better what we do and can help with.
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Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111
Published by: University Relations,
online@iastate.edu
Copyright © 1995-2001, Iowa State University. All rights reserved.
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