WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's ChoiceOCPD's New Crime Fighting Tool

OCPD's New Crime Fighting Tool

OCEAN CITY, Md. - Ocean City Police officers now have a new weapon attached to their waist-side. Tasers will now be their new crime fighting tool. It looks like a gun, but shoots out two probes that enter the body and send shocks strong enough to incapacitate. On Thursday, the public was invited to a demonstration, in hopes of correcting any misconceptions.

"Citizens see YouTube videos, read things in the media, and they also watch movies and see how a taser is used and that is just not how law enforcement uses that device," said Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino.

She also says they were reluctant at first, but found that the devices will reduce the number of injuries to both the officer and the suspect.

"The reason why we were so hesitant initially is because there were some deaths associated with the taser. However, researchers show the taser did not cause the death, and that there were pre-existing conditions in the individuals," she said.

David Adams, a Princess Anne Police Officer, has been armed with a taser for six years and says they call for help anytime its used.

"Paramedics come out and they evaluate the person they're looking for anything an officer can't identify as a medical emergency," he said.

OCPD will do a one year trial, then the city council will have the final say as to whether or not these tasers become a permanent tool on their belt. The Ocean City Police department has purchased 15 tasers at about $1,300 a piece. Officials say if all goes well, they plan to get more in the future.