Ball State introduces taser guns as enforcement next year

On the first day of classes at Ball State University in August, campus police officers will be carrying new weapons under their belt. \nIn an effort to reduce crime on campus, BSU police have purchased 35 taser guns, four chemical propellant guns and three projectile launchers at a cost totaling $38,400.\n"This is a significant investment in our efforts to enhance the safety and security of the campus community," Gene Burton, university police chief, said in a statement. "This kind of equipment helps minimize the risk to our officers and those that are sworn to protect. This is a very positive step in the evolution of our department."\nThe new equipment comes in the wake of the death of student Michael McKinney in a shooting at BSU. McKinney was allegedly drunk and was killed by an officer on duty in November.\nHowever, campus police officials say the decision to arm the officers with the devices has nothing to do with last year's incident. Burton said the department was considering the purchase before McKinney's death.\nAccording to the Taser International Web site, the taser, shaped like a small gun, shoots 26 watts of electricity and comes complete with laser-sight features. When fired, the two quarter-inch darts in the gun temporarily paralyze the suspects by immobilizing their muscles with an electrical current that flows for five to 10 seconds. Police officers can shoot the taser from up to 21 feet away.\nAccording to the Web site, "Its pulsating electrical output interferes with communication between the brain and the muscular system, resulting in loss of control. Some will experience critical response amnesia and others will experience tingling sensations afterwards. The pulsating electrical output causes involuntary muscle contractions and a resulting sense of vertigo."\nThe chemical propellant guns and projectile launchers are designed for crowd control and fire a capsule containing a powdered chemical defensive agent, which is released upon contact. The projectile launchers can fire tear gas or beanbags.\nWhile law enforcement divisions insist the guns will enhance public safety, students and community members are becoming increasingly fearful.\nLast year, Bedford resident James L. Borden Sr. died in police custody at the Monroe County Jail after being shot with a taser gun three times for acting "uncooperative and combative." His family is currently seeking answers and campaigning for the ban of taser guns.\nSenior Meryl Alappattu said she has heard too many stories that make her question the real purpose of the tasers and is worried IUPD may begin to use them. \n"We are college students, not crazed animals or criminals that need to be shot at for something like public intoxication," Alappattu said. "And how exactly is a police officer going to decide when it's appropriate to use it? It just seems like a taser gun is not needed to reinforce laws. It's inhumane."\nIndiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is the only other university in Indiana using tasers, and IU Police Department Lt. Laury Flint said it is unlikely IUPD will resort to the use of tasers.\n"We carry pepper spray as an alternative method, but the discussion of tasers has not come up at all for our department," Flint said.\nFlint said, in the past, the IUPD has carried stun guns, but for now, the pepper spray seems to be working.\n"We don't use the spray terribly often, and the situation dictates the use of the pepper spray based on a force continuum," Flint said. "I can assure that everything we carry involves training, and we have absolutely not even brought up the idea of using tasers."\n-- Contact staff writer Lori Geller at lfgeller@indiana.edu.