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The electronic control devices deliver a high-voltage, low-power charge of electricity to disrupt a person’s central nervous system and induce involuntary muscle contractions. (Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner)
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Grissom security forces roll out new electronic control devices
Posted 5/25/2012 Updated 5/25/2012
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by Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner
434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
5/25/2012 - Citizen Airman/June 2012 -- Security forces at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., have a new weapon in their arsenal, and it may be shocking to some people -- at least those who don't comply with officers' instructions.
In addition to their service pistols, security forces Airmen and Department of Defense police are now carrying electronic control devices.
ECDs are less-lethal weapons, which are used to incapacitate a person using short bursts of electricity administered through barbed darts on wires that can extend out to 25 feet.
Grissom deployed the ECDs as part of an Air Force-wide rollout of the devices throughout the United States.
The devices are designed to allow officers to subdue people from a safer distance and apprehend them without loss of life or major injury to those involved, said Maj. Christopher Witter, 434th Security Forces Squadron commander.
ECDs take advantage of electro-muscular disruption technology, which uses a high-voltage, low-power charge of electricity to disrupt the central nervous system and induce involuntary muscle contractions.
"It's very effective on everyone because it short-circuits your synapses, and it's immediate feedback for the individual," Witter said.
ECDs are beneficial to law enforcement officers for more than just their effectiveness to subdue an unruly person.
"It gives us something between 'stop' and bang," said Witter, referring to the use of force continuum, which provides guidance to officers on how much force they can use in different situations. The continuum ranges from verbally engaging with an individual all the way to the use of lethal force weapons such as service pistols.
"The biggest benefit to us is that the cartridges have a 25-foot range, so I don't have to get close or fight with someone," Devine said.
And, keeping an officer safe while avoiding long-term or serious injuries to everyone involved is exactly what ECDs are designed to do. |
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