Officer injured in Taser demo

**Operator13** · 10-20-07, 04:16 AM

http://www.janes.com/news/lawenforce...1011_1_n.shtml

A police officer in the US who volunteered to be the subject of a Taser demonstration has suffered possibly lasting damage, including spine fractures after receiving a five-second discharge, according to a respected medical journal.

The 38-year-old victim was rushed by ambulance to hospital where a scan showed he suffered compression fractures in his spine caused by muscle spasms triggered by being Tasered in a training class.

Nine weeks after his injury he has continued to report significant pain.

The officer's doctor, James Winslow, MD, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina said: 'In this case, the pain continued for a long time, leading the patient to reduce his work hours significantly.'

The case has now entered medical literature after being written up in the eminent American College of Emergency Physicians journal which released the details.

Supt Charlie Hill, staff officer to the ACPO police use of firearms working group, said the case underlined the need to move with caution until more can be discovered about the potential side effects of using Tasers.

**121Traffic** · 10-20-07, 07:11 AM

Yikes. That's gonna leave a mark.

**Ducky** · 10-20-07, 07:01 PM

But wow, that's some serious muscle tone going on to be able to break the bones they're attached to. I hope he winds up being alright.

**armsmaster270** · 10-21-07, 01:35 AM

Sounds like he might have to retire. That sucks.

**Ender** · 10-24-07, 12:42 AM

that SUCKS. bad.

that said, i'd put money down this was a preexisting condition either brought to light or exascerbated by the tazer.

not a cop, not a doctor, just taking a swag at it.

doesn't take away the suck factor, for sure.

**Star Man** · 10-24-07, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by Ender

that SUCKS. bad.

that said, i'd put money down this was a preexisting condition either brought to light or exascerbated by the tazer.

not a cop, not a doctor, just taking a swag at it.

doesn't take away the suck factor, for sure.

I have taken a hit several times, and I know guys that have taken it many many times to show new guys in training that its ok. I agree with the pre-existing condition theory as a possibility.