A crowd of onlookers stood at the Buxton Community Day two weeks ago and watched as two uniformed police officers held onto Brad Gaumont, a new officer on the Buxton police force.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, Gaumont is an imposing presence.
He’s also a rookie, which is likely why he was selected for the demonstration of the department’s latest weapon – a Taser. Buxton Police Chief Jody Thomas had to summon Gaumont by radio to report for the demonstration.
While Tasers have been used by police departments in different parts of the country for years, several local departments have only recently begun using Tasers. Westbrook, Gorham and Buxton police all use the weapon now. Local police say the weapons are an effective way to imobilize people who pose a threat without shooting them.
That effectiveness was in evidence as Gaumont crumpled to the ground at Buxton Community Day. For a couple of minutes, he didn’t move. Slowly, Gaumont began to regain his strength, and, eventually, he was able to stand up again.
“It feels like a big vise grip on your body,” said Gaumont after getting back on his feet.
Thomas described it as a non-lethal weapon. Aimed by a laser beam, two dart-like projectiles are capable of nailing suspects with 50,000 volts of electricity from up to 35 feet away with some models. Insulated wires connect the projectiles to the Taser weapon, which has batteries. The projectiles can slice through up to two and a half inches of clothes, including leather.
After being zapped, Gaumont said he felt fatigued like he’d been through a rigorous workout. “I feel weak,” Gaumont said.
Thomas said Tasers attack the muscle system and are “extremely” painful for about five seconds. That time allows police time to handcuff a suspect.
She said Buxton officers have been carrying the weapon for about a year, but Buxton police have yet to use it in the line of duty.
Gorham Police Chief Ron Shepard said Tasers would be an option to using other devices, like pepper spray, to subdue a suspect. Shepard said pepper spray could affect the officer using it as well as the suspect.
Lt. Chris Sanborn said Gorham police officers began carrying Tasers last month, but they haven’t used one yet. “It’s a very useful tool,” Sanborn said.
Thomas said Tasers are a deterrent, and Sanborn agreed. “A lot of people we deal with know what it is,” Sanborn said.
Sanborn said Tasers incapacitate a subject. They can be an alternative to deadly force.
Not everyone, however, is a fan of the weapon. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California said in a press release last October that “since, 1999, at least 148 people in the United States and Canada have died after encounters with police who shocked them with Tasers.”
However, Capt. Tom Roth of Westbrook police said they researched Tasers throughly before buying them. He said no deaths have been proven to be directly caused by Taser use.
Roth said officers warn subjects and fellow officers before firing the Taser weapon. “People say I don’t want to get zapped,” Roth said.
Roth said actions of suspects would dictate the level of force used. Westbrook police have had the weapon for just under a year and have used it twice. Roth said both were “combatant subjects” and Tasers immobilized them.
“Taser always works,” Roth said. “I consider it an incredible tool.”
Police officers are all trained and certified to use the weapon. Sgt. Dan Young of Gorham police is a certified Taser instructor. Sanborn said Gorham has a policy governing the use of Tasers, and a paramedic from Gorham Rescue would check out anyone who immobilized by a Taser.
Tasers immobilize suspects, but the weapon leaves no after effects. Roth said it is safe to use on subjects even if they have a pacemaker.
Sanborn said Tasers don’t affect the heart. He said it does disrupt the person’s motor skills and thought process. He said the person can hear but is immobile. “It isn’t a firearm,” Sanborn said.
Thomas said Tasers attack the muscle system. “It’s the most painful experience,” Thomas said.
Cutline (Taser 1) 
Cutline (Taser 2) 
Cutline (Taser 3) 
Cutline (Taser 5)
Send questions/comments to the editors.
