Officers with the Houston Police Department – both full-time and reserves – got their first opportunity to learn about and operate the department’s new Taser units during a training exercise last Thursday.
The City of Houston recently signed a lease-purchase agreement on seven state-of-the-art X2 Professional Series models. On its website, Taser Self Defense, a division of Axon, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., says the X2 is “designed by law enforcement, for law enforcement,” and is also “legal for everyday civilians who are looking to strengthen their home or personal protection plans.”
“A Taser gives an officer an excellent, less lethal alternative to a gun,” said HPD Chief Tim Ceplina.
Unlike the X26 models that HPD officers have been using, the X2 can carry two probe cartridges, allowing for a second shot without reloading – similar to a semi-automatic pistol. The X2 has a range of up to 25 feet and is equipped with a dual laser mechanism that accurately shows where both probes (or darts) from a given cartridge will make contact.
“If you have someone who’s combative, you can deploy a Taser and avoid engaging a suspect physically,” Ceplina said. “And with the X2, if an officer is dealing with multiple assailants or perpetrators in a fight, it allows the ability to target both instead of just one. It really provides better officer safety; our officers often work by themselves, and it’s nice to have those options when you’re going up against multiple aggressors.”
Tasers are a form of Conducted Electrical Weapon (CEW) and produce temporary “neuro-muscular incapacitation” (NMI) in a human target.
“Quite often, when that Taser comes out, people stop,” Ceplina said. “They’re very effective – very painful.”
The dual cartridge, dual laser Taser X2.
Last week’s training was conducted by B.J. Adler, a Mountain Grove Police Department officer who is also an Houston Police Department reserve.
Ceplina said HPD officers deployed their X26 units three times in 2017. The HPD’s seven full-time officers will carry Taser X2 units, while the reserves will use the existing X26s.
Mountain Grove Police Department Cpl. B.J. Adler discusses the Taser model X2 with full-time and reserve Houston Police Department officers during training last Thursday. The HPD recently acquired seven of the new, state-of-the-art units. Adler is also a reserve officer with the HPD.
Taser is an acronym for “Thomas A. Swift’s Electrical Rifle,” which comes from a book published in New York in 1911.
“Quite often, when that Taser comes out, people stop. They’re very effective – very painful.”
HPD CHIEF TIM CEPLINA