Police say Tasers save lives

Local law enforcement agencies have been using Tasers for more than two years and say they have both saved suspects’ lives and helped officers avoid injury.

Officials from Kootenai and Spokane counties said they could not recall any instances in which Tasers caused serious injuries or death.

Every Spokane Police patrol officer is equipped with Tasers. The department initiates an internal investigation every time an officer shoots a Taser during an arrest, Assistant Chief Jim Nicks said.

“They have been very effective in dealing with assaultive or suicidal suspects,” Nicks said. “We are still looking at it and continuing to monitor it but we haven’t seen anything that would make us curtail our usage.”

Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson said he issued Tasers only to his department’s sergeants.

“I’m just cautious of new items. I want to see them proven before we rush out and buy a bunch of them,” Watson said. “But it’s a very good tool. It fills that void between shooting somebody and getting in a fight with them or tear gassing them.”

Spokane County uses more Tasers, which don’t always penetrate through winter clothing, but they generally work well, spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

“We try to meet force with equal or greater force,” Reagan said. “But you don’t want to shoot everyone who raises a fist at you. It’s also not appropriate to fight until we are injured. While not perfect, (the Taser) gives us options.”

Tom Clouse/The Spokesman-Review