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72nd SFS ‘amping’ up security

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Anyone misbehaving badly on Tinker is in for a real charge. Security Forces are equipping themselves with tasers as a "less than lethal" way of controlling volatile situations.

Staff Sgt. Elijah Langhorne, a patrolman with the 72nd Security Forces Squadron, explained that the new tasers are phenomenal to have in the less-than-lethal arsenal. Officers currently use the baton, pepper spray and other suspect control techniques to take charge of a situation that requires less than lethal force.

Compared to the methods above, tasers are quick, effective and much safer for all parties involved. For example, pepper spray affects responding members and anyone in proximity. Using batons or other means puts the responding patrolman much closer to the suspect and provides an opportunity for them to wrestle away the patrolman's weapon.

The tasers send a charge of 50,000 volts, or .0021 amps, or 26 watts, and can shoot barbs 25 feet. This charge temporarily interrupts the targets voluntary control of his or her muscles, but will not affect the heart or brain.

Tech. Sgt. Yamil Roman-Rivera, the head taser instructor for Security Forces, explained, "An average person can experience anywhere from 35,000-100,000 volts in everyday life, such in the case of static electricity."

A taser shot lasts for only five seconds, but according to Sergeant Langhorne, "It is a most painful experience, very uncomfortable, and is the longest five seconds of your life ... your body tenses up, muscles are completely locked up and you have no control of your muscles."

Using a taser allows patrolmen to stop violent or self-destructive behavior and gain control of the situation. Once a person has been tased, they respond better to further instructions from patrolmen. Especially if they know they can be tased again.

"It doesn't matter how big and burly you are. I have seen some large, rough individuals and after being tased, they suddenly become very, very polite," said Sergeant Langhorne.
Although it is an electrical conducted weapon, the taser does not go to ground, and is safe to be used in the rain or even if the offender is standing in a pool of water. The only environmental risk of injury is from falls. As part of the training, Security Forces members go through classroom instruction to learn to judge environmental factors such as where the individual is standing or if they are holding a weapon like a knife that could injure them upon falling.

"I am still responsible for the safety of the individual, so we assess the situation so that no harm comes to that person, but we have to stop the activity," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Nixon, the head instructor for Security Forces training. "The tasers are very effective and I would much rather be tased than to be hit with OC spray."

During this first round of training classes for Tinker, Staff Sgt. Jacob Seberger agreed to "ride the lightening" for the purpose of this story. Staff Sgt. Daniel Voliva aimed the taser and the moment the current hit Sergeant Seberger, his entire body seized up for five seconds and he was stiff as a board.

Fellow Airmen gently brought him to the floor, and as the current shut off, Sergeant Seberger came to and was OK. "I'm fine, it feels like I just had a hardcore workout," the sergeant said.

The side effects to being shot with a taser are soreness and a bit of a contact burn. After the shocking current is shut off, the person is immediately coherent and able to comply with patrolmen's demands. Not surprisingly, most people do, Sergeant Langhorne said.
So if you find yourself on the wrong side of a bad idea, stop, listen to the partolman and comply quickly.