By Matthew LockardContributor
A job of the University Police is to protect. Now, they have a newweapon that may help save lives.
The new weapon is the PepperBall gun, a non-lethal tool thatshoots pepper spray into people’s faces.
“It’s an alternative to save (someone’s) life who is actingirrationally,” said University Police Lt. Charles Schwoerke. “If youdon’t have PepperBall, you’re going to shoot and kill (them).”
The weapon is designed to disarm people with knives and crowbarsbut will also help break up fights. It allows officers to fire roundsfrom up to 30 feet away, an advantage over pepper spray canisters,Schwoerke said.
University Police Chief John Carpenter said the rounds are alsomore effective than tear gas canisters, which can be thrown back atpolice.
PepperBall guns use oleoresin capsicum, the same chemical policecarry on their belts in an aerosol can. The gun contains the chemicalin little balls of powder, similar to a paint ball gun, and holds upto 200 rounds.
Pepper spray irritates the nose and eyes and makes it easier forpolice to arrest people, he said.
Police presence and verbal commands are usually enough to break upfights, but this gives police a new option to step up force,Schwoerke said.
“PepperBall may never be used,” Carpenter said. “It’s just(another) option for officers to have in their patrol car.”
Carpenter said police were forced to shoot people with guns beforenon-lethal weapons such as PepperBall guns and the taser wereintroduced.
Some students said they approve of anything that helps police savelives safely.
Junior music major Jeff Collins said the PepperBall is a goodalternative to conventional weapons that may kill.
“I think people will be more comfortable with police using this,”he said. “If a bystander gets shot it’s like getting hit by apaintball and won’t kill them.”
Carpenter said he agrees.
“This is designed to prevent someone from being hurt,” Carpentersaid. “I’d much rather have (pepper balls) than use a (gun).”
He said the College Area is not excluded from the same crimes thatoccur city-wide. To make sure officers and the public are safe,Carpenter said the department is on the cutting edge of non-lethalweapons and has also placed an order for tasers. Tasers give peoplean electric shock, leaving them unable to move.
During a training seminar, several University Police were shockedwith tasers to demonstrate their effectiveness, he said.
All 26 University Police officers are certified to use PepperBallafter three hours of training. As part of their academy training,academy cadets also receive 20 hours of training in chemical agents.
University Police policy dictates that two officers must bepresent when PepperBall is used, to ensure their safety, Schwoerkesaid.
Four PepperBall guns have been purchased by the department at $550each.
