MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- “You guys got spoiled, you got spoiled at Miramar!” exclaimed San Diego County Deputy Sheriff Steve Winchell, speaking on how well the training facilities at Miramar work for the Sheriff’s Department.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department concluded the final day of Taser training for their second class of officers March 1, at their East Miramar training site.

The Taser San Diego Sheriff’s Department uses is the X-26 model and is a less-lethal method to stop suspects for apprehension.  The X-26 Taser, when deployed, shoots two barbs attached to the gun portion by wires. The Taser delivers enough electrical current to cause a full body cramp, said Winchell.

The department has recently purchased Tasers for their officers to use out in the field.  It takes three days to qualify to use the Taser.  The March 1 class is only the second class to qualify with the weapon.  Currently there are 60 deputy sheriffs qualified to carry the weapon, however the department has purchased approximately 850 Tasers, said Winchell.

The weapon is designed to incapacitate and not kill, but the term less lethal is used because there is no guarantee. However, the weapon’s manufacturer, Taser International Inc., is careful to say that no one has ever proven that their weaponry has caused anyone’s death.

The first day of training is almost entirely Taser.  The officers are issued their Taser, taught how it works and deploy it a few times.  In the next two days the deputy sheriffs are trained on firearms, defensive tactics, tactical communication and vehicle operation.  All three days of training take place at their training facility at East Miramar.

“Some of the people have already said that this is the best training they have ever had in their life,” said Winchell.

Winchell accredits the outstanding training to the training facilities and the reality-based and scenario training.

When asked about the safety of the device, Capt. Glenn D. Revell said the device is one of the safest ways to detain combative suspects.  The actual shock of the weapon stops hurting instantly when the weapon is shut off.

The advantage of having the Taser in the department’s arsenal is that it adds one more tool to their belt.  It can potentially stop situations from escalating to being lethal.

“They are going to be ‘Tased’ perhaps, but they are not going to die,” said Winchell regarding using the Taser instead of lethal force.

Winchell also added that the best deployment of the Taser is when the weapon is not used.  The Taser has a laser sight on it so when it is drawn it paints a very imposing picture; it is a great deterrent, said Winchell.

That is where this training makes an impact. It is important to teach all of these skills to the officers, so they use the weapon whenever they think it is appropriate - when it is a reasonable force. 

“Miramar is so central, we love it here,” said Winchell.

The department is able to do virtually all of their training at East Miramar except rifle training. 

The department is very happy with the training facility.  The arrangement they have with the Marine Corps and specifically Miramar is one that has benefited the department greatly.

“From day one we’re with the Marine Corps on the base and it doesn’t get any better,” said Winchell.